Patriots training camp recap: Young pass catchers stand out on Monday

It’s officially game week for the New England Patriots, who returned to the practice fields on Monday following a weekend off. Before they welcome the Washington Commanders to Foxborough later in the week, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel was back in full pads for its 10th practice of the summer.

Here is what went down throughout the day.

Setting

Attire: Full pads

Duration: ca. 135 minutes (10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET)

Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in the 80s

Temperatures were back in the 80s on the back fields behind Gillette Stadium. In full pads, New England ran their longest practice of the summer with the most amount of plays — with much of the focus on situational and red area work.

Attendance

Absent: G Caedan Wallace*, ED K’Lavon Chaisson*, WR Kendrick Bourne*, CB Christian Gonzalez, LB Jahlani Tavai, OL Sidy Sow

Limited: CB Carlton Davis III

Returned: ED Keion White, C Garrett Bradbury, RB Antonio Gibson, OT Vederian Lowe (PUP)

Departed: CB Marcellas Dial Jr., DL Jaquelin Roy, OT Morgan Moses

New England saw several changes in the attendance category from Friday night. After leaving the in-stadium scrimmage early, Caedan Wallace, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Kendrick Bourne did not practice. Wallace and Chaisson made brief appearances on the field while Mike Vrabel said the expectation is that Bourne will not practice this week after getting rolled up on.

Vrabel also shared that cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez will not participate in the joint practice this week against the Commanders. Gonzalez, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, did some bike work during practice and ditched the compression leg sleeve he previously wore after the injury,

The cornerback depth chart took another hit as second-year player Marcellas Dial Jr. was then carted off during team work. Dial stayed down for an extended period of time while trainers appeared to look at his left leg/knee. Defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy also left during 1-on-1 work.

In the return department, New England activated their last remaining player off the physically unable to perform list, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe. Antonio Gibson, Keion White, and Garrett Bradbury all were back on the field.

Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who missed the spring after a health scare, also left practice early after dealing with dehydration. He will be fine, per the Patriots, while inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr called defensive plays the rest of practice,

Takeaways

Big Play Tre: Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has been impressive this summer showcasing both his pass catching ability and explosiveness. That was all on display again on Monday as Henderson connected with quarterback Drake Maye on a pair of long touchdown passes early in practice.

The first came when Henderson broke free down the left sideline on a wheel route out of the backfield, before Josh McDaniels had the back line up out wide where he easily beat Christian Elliss on a double move down the same sideline. Henderson then showed his burst on the ground later finding the end zone on a pitch from Joshua Dobbs.

Young receivers impress: With Kendrick Bourne sidelined, New England’s younger options got more opportunities with backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs in the passing game. Ja’Lynn Polk and Kyle Williams had several impressive reps in 1-on-1s while Javon Baker also made his mark during 7s.

Efton Chism III then had the play of the day; he tracked a ball over his shoulder before making a leaping and diving catch in the end zone over Craig Woodson. Chism also beat his fellow rookie early in 1-on-1s in addition to a clean win on a whip route along the goal line. It was a strong bounceback from the undrafted free agent after an uncharacteristic drop in Friday night’s scrimmage.

Defense punches back: After opening with two incompletions, Drake Maye was efficient operating largely in the underneath parts of the field (three catches for DeMario Douglas) outside of the two downfield touchdowns to Henderson. When things moved into the red area, however, New England’s defense punched back.

While Maye hit Mack Hollins in the back of the end zone on the second play of the period (Keion White may have had a sack in live action), New England’s defense won eight straight plays — one sack (Christian Barmore), two run stuffs, five incompletions, and one Maye scramble under pressure. Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga helped lead the push with a batted pass and run stuff, while cornerback D.J. James also had a pair of breakups.

On a fourth-down play to cap off Maye’s 45-second drive, a heave under pressure to Kayshon Boutte resulted in the receiver making an impressive acrobatic catch in the back right corner of the end zone. He appeared to get both feet in bounds.

O-line changes: Garrett Bradbury returned to practice and his starting spot at center, even though backup Ben Brown remained involved at times with the top unit. The rest of the line stayed in tact, with Will Campbell at left tackle, Jared Wilson at left guard, Mike Onwenu at right guard and Morgan Moses at right tackle. When Moses departed, rookie Marcus Bryant was elevated to the first team right tackle instead of Demontrey Jacobs.

Campbell’s day featured several battles against Keion White, where the pass rusher got him early in 1-on-1s and then once again in team work. The rookie settled in nicely in full team work as well as in 1s shutting down Bradyn Swinson.

New England’s second offensive line saw a handful of changes with Caedan Wallace and Sid Sow absent. After primarily working at right tackle this summer, Jacobs flipped to the left side which pushed Bryant to the right. Ben Brown repped at left guard while Cole Strange remained the second-team center with Tyrese Robinson at right guard.

Kicker competition: New England’s kicking competition went into another high-quality round on Monday. Both Andy Borregales and Parker Romo made all four of their field goal tries, maxing out around 54 yards out.

That marks now five straight practices without a miss for either kicker. They remain largely neck and neck.

Other notes: A quiet day for Stefon Diggs hauling in just two of three targets (one screen). … Tight end Jack Westover continues getting reps as a fullback. … Fellow TE Jaheim Bell had a touchdown along the goal line from Joshua Dobbs. … Isaiah Iton saw elevated snaps with Jaquelin Roy sidelined and had a run stuff with the first team. … Anfernee Jennings was active in the red area with a run stuff and a would-be sack. … Alex Austin and D.J. James remained the top two corners without Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis. … Kobee Minor and Marcus Jones had pass breakups. while Brandon Crossley also knocked a ball out of Javon Baker’s hands in the end zone. … Julian Edelman and Robert Kraft were present at practice.

Preview

The Patriots will be back to work on Tuesday for their final practice before the Commanders come to town. The expectation is for a light session that will begin at 10:00 a.m. ET with gates opening at 9:15. A select group of players will be made available to the media afterwards.