We’ve got you covered on everything going on as the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the first of two joint practices on Monday. Scroll down for our rolling list of live updates from reporters in attendance, including videos, practice highlights, and news.
The Patriots and Eagles will practice together on Monday and Tuesday, before squaring off in a preseason contest on Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Takeaways
12:15 p.m.: Reporters in attendance generally described a tough day for both Cam Newton and Mac Jones, with some highlights sprinkled between struggles in team drills against the Eagles defense. Jones seemed to be slightly better than Newton, based on raw numbers and observations during practice.
Main takeaway from a #Patriots perspective...Cam Newton was riding the struggle bus all practice long. Ball not coming out quickly and issues with accuracy. Showed up in red zone work, with a ball behind Asiasi followed by an interception the next play from LB Eric Wilson.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 16, 2021Mac Jones rode a bit of the roller coaster today. He did lead Nelson Agholor for a deep TD in 7-on-7s and later, in 11-on-11, did something similar with N'Keal Harry. He was nearly picked 2x during his final drive, including an ill-advised deep ball to Gunner. #Patriots
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 16, 2021Philly seemed to have the upper-hand on both sides of the ball in 11s to end practice. Both Cam and Mac had some issues. Overall, better practice for Mac, especially early. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021Cam Newton was 13 of 21 with an interception in the first joint practice with the Eagles. He took all first-team reps against the starting defense.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 16, 2021
Mac Jones was very sharp and 17 of 25 but largely worked against the backup defense.Neither Patriot quarterback was impressive for long stretches vs. Eagles. Couple plays here and there but mostly C- Cam Newton got more of the work and was with the 1s. He threw a hellacious pick in 11 on 11 at back of the end zone from about the 5. Jones scuffled plenty as well
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) August 16, 2021#Patriots-#Eagles joint practices Day 1:
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 16, 2021
- The Eagles were better on both sides of the ball. Period.
- Newton 13/21 INT, Jones 17/25. Both struggled.
- Newton keeps holding the ball too long, had 3 other passes batted. Jones should've had 2 INTs.
- Good days for Agholor, Bentley.Mac Jones looked much better in the first half of practice than he did in the second, but overall, he had the best day of the two Patriots QBs.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 16, 2021
Strong performance by Nelson Agholor in his return to Philly with four catches in 11-on-11s and a deep TD in 7s.Practice ends with Mac Jones finding N’Keal Harry for a TD on a nice throw and catch down the left sideline. But overall, seemed like a challenging day for Jones, Cam Newton and the overall passing game. Newton’s end-zone INT ended arguably his best stretch of work.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2021Two-Minute Drill
12:00 p.m.: Cam Newton got good reviews from reporters watching his 11-on-11 two-minute drill against the Eagles defense, despite throwing an interception at the end of it.
Cam Newton's 2-minute drill ends in an end-zone INT to #Eagles LB Eric Wilson.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 16, 2021
- He started 3/3, including two nice, intermediate completions to Agholor.
- But his next two passes, both from the 8-yard line, were fired straight into traffic for TE Devin Asiasi. Can't do that.Best series of the day for Cam in two-minute ends with an INT in red zone. Two strong throws for completions to Agholor gets the offense into the RZ. Then he throws an easy pick in the end zone. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021An efficient Cam Newton two-minute drill (completions to Agholor, Agholor and Bourne) ended with an INT by Eric Wilson in the end zone. Tried to force a pass to Devin Asiasi over the middle.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 16, 2021Mac Jones’ two-minute drill also had its ups and downs. He was the inverse of Newton, struggling before the red zone but finishing the drive with a touchdown to N’Keal Harry.
Mac Jones caps his 2-minute drill with a 20-yard TD to N'Keal Harry down the sideline, but his series wasn't any better.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 16, 2021
- He went 3/7 with a dropped INT and a PBU.
- He missed short and over the middle.
- Kristian Wilkerson also dropped a a 20-yard completion to start.Mac’s two-minute drill had some ups and downs. Nearly picked on a deep ball to Gunner. But came back and ripped a fade to N’Keal in the cover-two hole for six. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021Mac Jones' two-minute drill (with and against second-teamers) was sloppy with a drop, a hold, a checkdown and a few errant passes, but he ended it with a 20-yard touchdown to N'Keal Harry down the left sideline. https://t.co/KtG9naxnCi
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 16, 2021Quarterback Comparison
11:15 a.m.: Based on the raw numbers, Mac Jones had a slight edge over Cam Newton in competitive team drills against the Eagles defense. According to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, Jones was 11-of-13 while Newton was 9-of-14. Both quarterbacks threw near-interceptions.
According to multiple reports, Jones made a number of good throws to Agholor.
#Patriots-#Eagles initial team drills:
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 16, 2021
- Cam Newton led off every off period. He's 9/14, with 2 PBUs, including a dropped INT, and 1 sack.
- Mac Jones is 11/13, including a drop and near INT on a miscommunication.
- The best connections were Jones deep balls to Nelson Agholor.Strong connection between Mac Jones and Nelson Agholor so far today. Jones hit the ex-Eagle deep on his first pass of 11-on-11s, then found him for a long TD in 7-on-7s.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 16, 2021
Jones was 5-for-6 overall in 7s with a Jakobi Meyers drop.
Cam Newton 4-for-6 with two PBUs by the same LBMac Jones with two more good throws. Go ball to Agholor down the left sideline, avoided pressure. Going to his right and hit Bourne coming across in the opposite direction for a completion. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021Judon Makes Pick-Six In 7-On-7
11:15 a.m.: Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon made one of the highlight plays of 7-on-7 drills against the Eagles offense, interception quarterback Jalen Hurts and returning it all the way for a “touchdown” – and celebrating with a flip into the end zone. Ja’Whaun Bentley also had an INT against Hurts during this period.
OLB Matt Judon just somersaulted into the end zone after picking off Jalen Hurts and running it back for 6. Judon practices with a Tedy Bruschi-like “full tilt, full time” type of approach.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2021Judon picks off Hurts in 7s. Dropping underneath from on the line. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021Matt Judon and Ja'Whaun Bentley both intercepted #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts during a 7-on-7 period. Judon made a house call and front-flipped into the end zone.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 16, 2021Patriots TE Matt LaCosse Leaves After Taking Big Hit
10:52 a.m.: According to reporters, Patriots tight end Matt LaCosse took a hard hit from Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett in a 1-on-1 drill and left the practice field after being checked by Pats head trainer Jim Whelan.
Multiple reporters also described the throw from Cam Newton as a dangerous one that led LaCosse into the hard contact with Barnett. Here’s how they described the play…
The @patriots, already dealing w injuries to their top two tight ends, saw Matt LaCosse go down after mishandling a crossing route and slamming into defensive end Derek Barnett. LaCosse left the field walking alongside trainer Jim Whelan after being attended to. @985TheSportsHub
— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) August 16, 2021Derek Barnett just laid out Matt LaCosse on a shallow crosser. LaCosse is up and walking off. Definitely a little much for practice by Barnett. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021#Patriots TE Matt LaCosse just got de-cleated by #Eagles DE Derek Barnett on a short hospital ball from Cam Newton that led him right into the hit. He may have been knocked out.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 16, 2021
LaCosse was down for 30 seconds and is walking off with members of the medical staff.Matt Lacosse just got his clocked cleaned by Derek Barnett on a shallow cross. He immediately went to the turf and is now exiting practice. The shot from Barnett was a shoulder pad to the helmet. #Patriots #Eagles
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 16, 2021TE Matt LaCosse is leaving practice after a pad-crunching collision with DE Derek Barnett (6-3, 259) that had him remaining down after contact. LaCosse was running a left-to-right low crossing route and the throw led him into Barnett. Big thud. Walks off under own power.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2021Pats Receivers Beat Eagles Secondary 1-on-1
10:45 a.m.: Multiple reports indicate that Patriots wide receivers mostly excelled in 1-on-1 drills against the Eagles’ defensive backs. According to Zack Cox, Harry went 5-0 in his charted reps, while Jakobi Meyers went 3-0. However, Nelson Agholor and Gunner Olszewski each had a drop.
N'Keal Harry won all five 1-on-1 reps I saw vs. Eagles DBs, including a nifty deep-ball grab against Avonte Maddox.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 16, 2021
Jakobi Meyers was 3-0 in reps I saw with a nice grab over Maddox.
Agholor and Olszewski had drops.According to Evan Lazar, Agholor had a tough time with dynamic Eagles cornerback Darius Slay.
Darius Slay locked down Nelson Agholor twice in 1v1s. N’Keal Harry made a nice one-handedish grab on a corner route with Avonte Maddox in coverage. Fast-paced drills right off the bat. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021Mac Jones Practicing In Knee Brace
10:27 a.m.: As you can see in the below tweets from The NFL Network’s Mike Giardi and CLNS Media’s Evan Lazar, Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones is practicing in some sort of light brace on his left knee. Whatever Jones is dealing with, it obviously wasn’t bad enough to sideline him. But the brace is something to note, for now.
Mac Jones appears to be wearing a light brace on his left knee. I believe this would be a new addition to his attire. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/8P8QGUy8Y2
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 16, 2021Mac Jones is practicing with a sleeve/light brace on his left knee. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/YsIot4ZwmZ
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021Footwork Drills
Reporters in attendance got an up-close look at Patriots offensive players, including the quarterbacks, practicing their footwork in an early drill.
Quick feet pic.twitter.com/F8G3cO0O8l
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 16, 2021Low angle and up close with Patriots RBs and TEs, as the Gatorade bottles are delivered to the Eagles. pic.twitter.com/zKUPvylGkC
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2021Patriots running backs working up a lather. pic.twitter.com/G3HU5nUHqv
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) August 16, 2021Tight Ends Make The Trip
9:45 a.m.: Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith appears to be absent from officially practicing on Monday, but he did make the trip after appearing to injure his ankle during Sunday’s practice. Hunter Henry, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, is also present, as first reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
According to NESN’s Zack Cox, Henry is in full pads for the first time since his injury, making him a possibility to return to full participation.
Tight end Jonnu Smith, who injured his left ankle in practice on Sunday, is here but not in uniform for today’s @Patriots @eagles practice. @985TheSportsHub pic.twitter.com/jVPYe8GsVv
— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) August 16, 2021In a sign of his progress from a shoulder injury, TE Hunter Henry has made the trip to Philadelphia for joint practices with the Eagles.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2021TE Hunter Henry is in pads for the first time since his shoulder injury last Sunday. We'll see what his level of participation is.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 16, 2021Player Arrivals
9:35 a.m.: Players from the Patriots and Eagles have begun to take the field, with practice set to start around 10.
Mac and Gunner prior to the start of joint practices with #Eagles. pic.twitter.com/QDx8uICcci
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 16, 2021Cam Newton and the Patriots arrive at the NovaCare complex in Philadelphia for the first of two practices with the Eagles. Full pads right off the bat. pic.twitter.com/q3TUsu6jYa
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2021Here we go and the @Patriots are making their way into the joint practices. #Patriots #WBZ pic.twitter.com/xwF33sSUjh
— Levan Reid (@LevanReid) August 16, 2021Setting The Scene
Play-by-play man Bob Socci, the voice of the Patriots on 98.5 The Sports Hub, is present for Monday’s joint practice between the Pats and Eagles. Here’s how it looks approaching the practice complex.
Good morning from the Nova Care Complex in Philadelphia on Day 1 of this week’s joint practices between the @Patriots and @Eagles. @985TheSportsHub pic.twitter.com/IsTOnoVnGz
— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) August 16, 2021Ivan Fears, @Patriots running backs coach, out early for today’s 10 a.m. practice with the @Eagles. pic.twitter.com/oP7axzz2Mc
— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) August 16, 2021
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