FOXBOROUGH - Monday brought a little bit of everything for the Patriots, from a downfield strike between Drake Maye and A.J. Brown to roster shuffling on the offensive line and a closer look at the kicking competition.
The biggest pop of the day came when Maye and Brown finally turned their connection into the kind of play people have been waiting for. On a deep ball that looked to travel about 70 yards, Maye hit Brown in stride. It was part of a sharp showing for the third-year quarterback, who finished 15 of 17 passing attempts and had Brown playing a central role in the offense’s best moments.
Christian Gonzalez stayed out, while Christian Barmore was back in a limited capacity.
One of the more notable developments came on defense, where rookie linebacker Namdi Obiazor mixed in with the first team during 11-on-11 work. The sixth-round pick from TCU has been quiet through camp, but Monday offered a different look.
At 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, he projects as an inside linebacker after starting his college career as a defensive back. Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss handled that spot effectively for New England last season, while fellow rookie Kahlil Jacobs has already made an impression.
K.J. Britt has also flashed, including a forced fumble that led to a turnover in Thursday’s game.
Chad Muma was out, and Elliss appeared to leave early because of an injury. Gabe Jacas also spent some time with the first group.
Special teams remained under the microscope as Andy Borregales tried to steady himself after a rough preseason opener. He was the only kicker on the field Monday after going 2-for-5 in that game, and Mike Vrabel said after Thursday that the staff would discuss whether to add competition.
No move has been made yet. Borregales has also been working with goalposts that are skinnier than the regulation ones, which has made the job harder.
He went 3-for-5 on Monday, with the misses sailing wide rather than coming up short. That followed a stronger day on Saturday, when he made five of six attempts on the skinny posts.
The backfield picture is still taking shape, and JaMychal Hasty is suddenly in the mix after a quick turnaround. The Patriots signed him Thursday, and he played in the preseason game against the Colts that night before ever practicing with the team.
“That was fun, it was a good challenge,” Hasty said of the unusual setup. “It was something I’ve never done before, so I just embraced it, attacked it and did the most that I could do with it.”
He carried five times for 11 yards in that game, while rookie Jam Miller started and finished with 14 carries for 55 yards. Hasty is competing with Miller, Lan Larrison, and Hasan Haskins for the third running back job after Terrell Jennings, who had been trending toward the role, was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.
Hasty said he had been back home in Texas with family and friends before the Patriots called. “I was back home in Texas with family and friends, training, and that’s pretty much it,” Hasty said.
“Life was pretty simple.
Barmore’s return was another positive, even if it was limited. Vrabel said the veteran defensive tackle has been making progress and is “getting closer” to coming back. He took part in drills but did not join the 11-on-11 work after missing last Tuesday’s joint practice, Thursday’s preseason game, and a couple of practices over the weekend.
The injuries on the interior offensive line are forcing New England to adjust on the fly. Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich were hurt in Thursday’s game, and the Patriots’ depth inside has taken a hit.
Vrabel said he has thought about getting first-round pick Caleb Lomu some guard reps this summer, though he doesn’t want to slow the rookie’s development. Lomu has spent time at both tackle spots and has also worked as a jumbo tight end at times.
For now, the Patriots are in next-man-up mode. Brown is expected to miss several weeks, Rupcich has been placed on season-ending injured reserve, and the team has already had to remake the backup picture after trading Caedan Wallace to the Dolphins and signing Darrian Dalcourt and Joe Michalski.
Before the injuries, Brown, Rupcich, and Mehki Butler were the top interior backups. Undrafted rookie Jacob Rizy stepped in for Brown in the preseason game, and Morgan Moses said the veterans in the room will need to help the younger players catch up.
“Injuries happen,” Moses said.
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