On Wednesday afternoon, the Patriots held their final official training camp practice of the summer at Gillette Stadium – their 18th practice of the training camp period. While they still have one more preseason game to play and six days left until roster cuts, any practices following the final preseason game are generally considered not to be a part of training camp, rather part of the preparation process for the team’s Week 1 matchup.
While game prep doesn’t officially start until next week, the Patriots did mix some of it in during the early part of their final training camp practice. The first half of the fully-padded practice featured multiple scout teams periods for both the offense and defense. Asked about it after practice, linebacker Matthew Judon pointed out that while they are getting ready to face the Tennessee Titans in the preseason finale on Friday night, the Week 1 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles is “always in the back of our heads.”
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Once the group came together for team drills during the second half of practice, the focused seemed to be mostly operational. They did a lot of full-field, 11-on-11 work but for the most part it was not in the format of red zone or two-minute drills – things that have been common throughout practices this summer.
The big news of the day though wasn’t what took place during either of those sessions. Rather, it happened simply by one player walking on the field. Let’s start there for our final Patriots training camp notebook of the summer…
Big Mike’s Back
Jan 8, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu (71) blocks against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
For the first time since the Patriots’ 2022 season ended in Buffalo in January, guard Mike Onwenu was on the field with the Patriots team Wednesday afternoon. He was present and in full pads, signifying he’s been removed from the PUP list.
With Onwenu back, the Patriots are one step closer to finally assembling their projected starting offensive line. Last year Onwenu played 99 percent of the team’s snaps at right guard but also has the ability to play right tackle – a position that appears to be the Patriots’ biggest weakness right now.
Wherever Onwenu ends up playing, the Patriots do need him. It’s been a rough go of things for the offensive line this summer and that continued on Wednesday, with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe getting sacked a combined eight times on 42 dropbacks.
Onwenu’s appearance, while notable, was brief. He took part in stretching and positional drills, but moved to the conditioning field out of view of reporters once team drills began. It’s not a surprise he’ll need to ramp back up into game shape, but the fact the Patriots activated him from PUP is a sign they expect him to be ready for the first month of the season, with Week 1 in play.
More attendance notes
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery II (14) takes a hand-off from quarterback Mac Jones (10) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Onwenu wasn’t the only player who was trending in the right direction on Wednesday. Running back Pierre Strong wasn’t in a red non-contract jersey after wearing one on Tuesday, and wide receiver Ty Montgomery participated in team drills for the first time since getting injured on the second day of camp.
There were no new absences on Wednesday. Jalen Mills, who seemed to hurt his ankle on the last play of Tuesday’s practice, was a full participant and didn’t seem to have any issues moving around. Meanwhile, Isaiah Bolden, Tyquan Thornton, Jonathan Jones, and Conor McDermott remained out. Guards Cole Strange and Kody Russey, who missed most of the session, joined the team on the field late but weren’t in pads. Demario Douglas was present but limited again as well.
Injuries
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez at 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news for the Patriots on the participation front on Wednesday. They did have two projected starters come up with injuries late in practice. Both tight end Hunter Henry and cornerback Christian Gonzalez looked to tweak their ankles in a team drill in the final minutes of practice. Neither left the field, but neither took part in the remaining reps of the day.
Henry did head right back to the facility at the end of practice, rather than sticking around for the cool-down period. Gonzalez was on the training table with members of the medical staff. After getting examined he got up on his own, put his shoe and sock back on, and rejoined the team for the post-practice huddle.
‘Kendrick down there somewhere’
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne runs after making a catch at 2023 minicamp in Foxboro, MA. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Onto the actual football of the day. With the team not working in the red zone, there was more room for the offense to open up. Kendrick Bourne took advantage, and hauled in multiple deep throws from Mac Jones. While some of those plays may have ended up as sacks (as mentioned above, it was another rough day for the offensive line), Bourne’s route-running independently was notable.
Marcus Jones makes plays
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones trains with a resistance rope during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
With the season opener quickly approaching, there’s a chance the Patriots will have to get creative at boundary cornerback. Jonathan Jones remains out with an undisclosed injury, and Jack Jones’ status is still uncertain (although he told reporters after practice on Wednesday he hasn’t heard from the league about any sort of suspension).
One way the team can do that is play some of their more typical slot cornerbacks on the boundary. That includes Marcus Jones, who has repped regularly on the boundary so far in camp. He had a strong day on Wednesday, highlighted by a play in team drills when he fought through a block from DeVante Parker to blow up a screen pass in the backfield.
Riley Reiff takes a lap
Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots offensive tackle Riley Reiff (74) works with a weight bag during 2023 training camp. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
There was only one lap run during Wednesday’s practice. Guard Riley Reiff false started on the first play of team drills, and was sent around the field. Bill Murray stepped in for him while he was running.
Nick Folk’s turn
Kicker Nick Folk of the New England Patriots during 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Matt Dolloff/98.5 The Sports Hub)
After rookie kicker Chad Ryland went 0-for-3 on Tuesday, it was Nick Folk’s turn to handle kicking duties on Wednesday. Folk started 1-for-3 but finished 6-for-9. Two of his kicks missed wide left, while another came up short. All nine attempts looked to be in the 40-plus range.
Hang times
Punters Corliss Waitman and Bryce Baringer wait on a snap from long snapper Tucker Addington at Patriots training camp. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
There were two brief team punting periods during Wednesday’s practice. Here are the hang times…
Bryce Baringer:
4.83 seconds
5.11
—
5.24
4.92Corliss Waitman:
3.81
4.21
—
4.67
4.81What’s next?
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches game action against the Houston Texans during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots won’t have any media availability on Thursday. They’ll be traveling to Nashville, to take on the Tennessee Titans in the preseason finale on Wednesday night. Coverage of that game can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub starting with pregame at 5:30.
