The Patriots wrapped up their final official training camp practice on Tuesday in full pads, and the session had a different feel to it. The work lasted about 105 minutes, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET, under sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s, but the tempo was more about scout-team reps than the kind of full-throttle camp grind that defines the middle of summer.
There were several notable absences. TreVeyon Henderson, Craig Woodson, Bryce Baringer, Marcus Bryant, Xavier Holmes, Khalil Jacobs, Lorenz Metz and Ben Brown were all out. Henderson, who left Monday’s practice early with what looked like a right foot or ankle injury, did not return.
“We’re working through that situation now. He’s probably not going to be out there at practice today, but we’ll see how that goes,“ Eliot Wolf said before practice.
New England did get a few players back in the mix. Lan Larison returned in a red non-contact jersey, while Jam Miller was also back but did not take part in team drills. Mehki Butler and Cory Durden rejoined the trenches, and Christian Gonzalez was once again a full participant after coming back Monday.
The cleanest storyline of the day came from the kicking game, where Andy Borregales closed camp on a high note. Working with new punter/holder Matt Haack, Borregales was perfect on all five of his field-goal tries in a live setting on the skinny goal posts. He then finished the day by drilling a 54-yard field goal on the skinny posts during a one-minute drive drill.
“He’s done a great job through camp. He continues to progress and there’s always ebbs and flows of being a kicker and that’s why you kick it,” special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer said.
“You go through some adversity at times and you got to grow from that and hopefully it’s in the preseason, hopefully it’s in in practice. So, when we get to the regular season, we get the rest of that out of the way and we can hit the ground running.”
On the defensive side, newly acquired safety Jaylen Reed showed up at the facility Tuesday morning and then made his way to the practice field wearing No. 26. He took part in early warmups and stretching before heading to the practice bubble with a staff member.
“[His skill set] is still to be seen,” defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr said. “Jaylen just got here, see what his his skill set is and work with him. I know he’s come here ready to work.”
Another name making noise late in camp was seventh-round pass rusher Quintayvious Hutchins. He continued to string together strong days, getting into the backfield again Tuesday with the second defense after timing a stunt well and working his way home up the middle.
Hutchins has also been working as the top edge rusher opposite Gabe Jacas with the second unit behind Elijah Ponder and Dre’Mont Jones. His speed gives that group a different look, and he brings special teams experience from Boston College.
The Patriots’ passing game had its moments in 7-on-7 work, with Drake Maye connecting on downfield throws to Efton Chism III, Mack Hollins and Lan Larison. In the backfield, Larison and Hassan Haskins lined up as the top backups to Rhamondre Stevenson with Henderson out.
Greg Van Roten continued to rotate across all three interior spots with the top offense, though he also had two low snaps at center.
On special teams, the top punt-block group featured Hassan Haskins, Namdi Obiazor, Elijah Ponder, Gabe Jacas, Chad Muma, Reggie Gilliam and Dell Pettus as the personal protector.
The Patriots aren’t done yet. They’ll hold a closed walkthrough on Wednesday before heading to Cleveland for their preseason finale, set for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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