Following their trip to Minnesota, the New England Patriots were back in Foxboro on Monday. They began a short week ahead of their preseason finale with a 90-minute practice closed to the general public but open to the media.
Here is what went down on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium.
Attire: Shorts and shells
Duration: ca. 90 minutes (10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET)
Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in the 80s
The back fields of Foxboro saw the Patriots just wear shoulder pads and the focus rely on end-of-half and red area situations.
Not participating: WR Efton Chism III, ED Anfernee Jennings, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, WR Javon Baker, TE Jack Westover, RB Terrell Jennings, LB Cam Riley, CB Christian Gonzalez, WR Kyle Williams, WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Jahlani Tavai, DT Isaiah Iton (IR)
Returned: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, CB D.J. James
A handful of new absences following Saturday’s preseason game. Head coach Mike Vrabel shared prior to practice that Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III would be sidelined for the day. Based off Chism’s availability in the locker room prior to the game and him being spotted on the exercise bike by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, his absence does not appear to be a long-term concern. Vrabel also shared that he does not expect Christian Gonzalez or Kendrick Bourne on the field this week.
Also absent was Isaiah Iton. The defensive tackle was placed on injured reserve on Monday, according to EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and cornerback D.J. James, meanwhile, returned after missing all of last week. Stevenson wore a red non-contact jersey.
End-of-half struggles: Outside of hitting TreVeyon Henderson for a long touchdown in Minnesota, the end-of-half scenarios have been a consistent struggle for Drake Maye’s unit throughout the summer. Those continued on Monday as Maye faced a handful of pressures — with edge Harold Landry leading the charge — and eventually was intercepted off an errant pass by Robert Spillane.
Spillane was a problem for Maye throughout the day, as the linebacker earlier intercepted Maye in 7-on-7s in the red area. When the ball did not end up in Spillane’s hands, Maye had a handful of misses while Jabrill Peppers and Alex Austin also deflected passes.
Changing of the guard: After Ben Brown manned the left guard position to end last week, rookie Jared Wilson returned to the starting lineup on Monday. Vrabel noted before practice that New England is still searching for their best combination at left guard and center, where Garrett Bradbury still aligned.
“We’ll continue to evaluate that spot and that rotation and where we’re at competing and trying to make sure that we’re giving everybody the opportunity in there, from the center and the left guard, and just trying to figure out what the best combination is,” Vrabel said.
Scout-team work: After playing the remainder on Saturday’s preseason game, safety Kyle Dugger worked with the Patriots scout team during Monday’s session. It was another bad standing for his place on the team despite having the second-highest cap hit, but Eliot Wolf reiterated there might be a role for the 29-year-old on the roster.
“I think there’s still a role,“ Wolf said Monday morning. ”It’s about trying to find the right combination and earn a role. The safety position is a lot based on communication. Getting Craig [Woodson], who’s a rookie, out there with different combinations of people is something that we’re looking at as well.“
Other notes: Mack Hollins led the wide receiver group with Maye hauling in all three of his targets. … Stefon Diggs did not have a catch in team work. … Despite wearing a non-contact jersey, Stevenson led off running back drills. … D.J. James returned to practice and broke up a pass. … Harold Landry had what likely would have been at least 1.5 sacks in the final period; Milton Williams was on hand to perhaps assist with one. … No field goal attempts from either Andy Borregales or Parker Romo.
The Patriots will be back to work on Tuesday for what will be their final practice ahead of the preseason finale versus the New York Giants. The session is scheduled to begin at 10:15 and will again be open to the media.
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