Things are about to change at New England Patriots training camp. Not only is the weather worse than it had been for the first four sessions of the summer, Thursday’s practice also will see the introduction of some physicality: for the first time since the end of last season, players will wear full pads.
Here’s everything else you need to know about training camp practice No. 5.
Schedule
Despite the weather, the Patriots’ fifth training camp practice of the year is scheduled to again take place on the fields
behind Gillette Stadium. The session is free and open for the general public to attend.
- 9:30 a.m. ET: Gates open
- 10:30 a.m. ET: Practice
- ca. 12:30 p.m. ET: Player availability (FB Reggie Gilliam, WR Kayshon Boutte, TE Eli Raridon, OT Caleb Lomu, G Mike Onwenu, DT Cory Durden)
As always, of course, the schedule is tentative and subject to change. For more information, please visit our Pats Pulpit Training Camp Guide.
Story of the day
With full pads being introduced to the mix, we are going to keep a close eye out for everything associated with them. The 1-on-1 blocking battles between offensive and defensive linemen, how receivers and cornerbacks fare in press-man coverage, the pass rush in full team drills, injuries — you name it.
Long story short, Thursday’s practice will be the most intense one to date.
Injuries to monitor
NFI: RB Terrell Jennings, S Brenden Schooler
PUP: TE C.J. Dippre, ED Harold Landry III, ED Gabe Jacas
Injured: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, CB Carlton Davis III, CB Charles Woods
Three players got shaken up during the Patriots’ most recent practice on Tuesday, and their availability and workload will be worth monitoring. As for the five players on the injury lists, they remain eligible to return at any point.
Players to watch
RB Jam Miller: The battle for the Patriots’ third running back spot is about to heat up. And while Lan Larison has held that role pretty consistently through the first four days of practice, rookie Jam Miller has looked good and could give the sophomore a run for his money. Miller, after all, projects as a true between-the-tackles early-down back and should be at his best when the bodies truly start flying around him.
WR A.J. Brown and CB Christian Gonzalez: This is going to be one of the marquee battles of training camp, with two of the best players in the league at their respective positions going at each other. So far, Gonzalez has had the upper hand whenever he and Brown crossed paths. However, the introduction of pads could help level the playing field in favor of the big-bodied receiver. Then again, Gonzalez has handled all types of receivers in his career. This will be a fun one, reminiscent of the Logan Mankins-Vince Wilfork battles of yore.
OT Will Campbell and OT Caleb Lomu: Finally, some full on 1-on-1s. The Patriots did do some drills of that kind before in camp, but without full pads those always need to be taken with a grain of salt. Now, it’s time for the real deal — and for an up-close look at the Patriots’ future tackle pairing in particular: Campbell will be in the spotlight given that the last full-pads impression of him in the Super Bowl was a negative, while Lomu will get his first taste of NFL physicality for the first time ever.
Pats Pulpit will have you covered throughout the day, so please make sure to regularly check back to patspulpit.com for all the latest news from camp. Credentialed Patriots beat writers Brian Hines (@iambrianhines), Andrew Guindon (@NestPgs) Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) will bring you live updates from camp on their Twitter/X feeds, so please make sure to give them a follow.
