Patriots training camp recap: N’Keal Harry shines, injury bug hits
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots kicked off week two of training camp on Monday, with the team ramping up their process less than a month away from week one. Here are the highlights from day seven of Patriots training camp:
Standout day for N’Keal Harry
After a rough start to camp, the 2019 first-round pick finally had the big day he needed. Harry grabbed a couple of touchdowns, while bullying some of the Patriots bigger corners.
Fumble trouble
It appeared as though the Patriots had some trouble holding onto the ball late in practice. Cam Newton was sent for a lap after he put the ball on the ground during a scramble, with Gunner Olszewski getting sent around the field a few minutes later for the same thing.
Oddly enough, the fumbles came on the annual “Slip n’ Slide” day for the Patriots, where the veterans spray rookies with a hose as they try to pick up a wet football.
Cam finding chemistry
It wasn’t all bad for Cam Newton. Now getting the fair majority of most of the first team reps, the chemistry is starting to show between him and the receivers.
The kicker battle is on
Nick Folk was present at practice after signing with the team on Sunday, and we got our first look at him and Justin Rohrwasser going ‘head-to-head.’
The Injury Bug hits
Stephon Gilmore, Yodny Cajuste, Jake Burt, Jeff Thomas, Beau Allen, Lamar Miller, and Sony Michel all missed practice on Monday. Gilmore has been away from the team due to a “personal matter,” and is expected back soon. No explanation was given for the other absences, although Miller and Michel are on PUP and not eligible to practice.
Rookie safety Kyle Dugger took the field late, and was limited for the third day in a row. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was also limited.
The Patriots also had a pair of linebackers leave practice early. Second-year UDFA Terez Hall, who spent all of 2019 on the practice squad, limped off the field about halfway through the session. Later, 2020 sixth-round pick Cassh Maluia took on a block from fellow rookie Devin Asiasi, and was helped off the field while grabbing at his shoulder.
Players return following false-positive COVID tests
Monday saw the most players returning to practice in a single day so far this year. James White, Michael Jackson, J.J. Taylor, D’Angelo Ross and Tashawn Bower all saw the field after missing Sunday’s session. While there has been no official report of which players were linked to the false-positive tests, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence so many players would miss just one day following the false-positive report.
Jarrett Stidham practiced despite mysterious hip injury
After reportedly spending most of Thursday night in a hospital, reports on QB Jarrett Stidham ranged from him missing just one practice to multiple weeks. It appears the former was closer to the truth, as Stidham was on the field Monday, and took part in 11-on-11 drills.
The Patriots return to practice tomorrow morning, make sure to check back with 985TheSportsHub.com for highlights.
