Before kicking off the fifth practice of this year’s training camp, the New England Patriots made their head coach available to the media again. One of the big talking points, especially with full pads being introduced to the mix on Thursday, was the injury statuses of multiple players.
Vrabel provided some updates.
Patriots injury updates: 7/30
CB Carlton Davis III: The starting outside cornerback was one of multiple players banged up during the Patriots’ most recent practice on Tuesday, and as a consequence will not participate
during Thursday’s session. What he is dealing with or how long he is expected to remain out, Vrabel did unsurprisingly not specify. Davis’ absence will, however, open the door for some of the depth players at the position to see extended reps with the starters.
CB Charles Woods: Vrabel had a pretty straight-forward answer when asked about the other Patriots cornerback leaving practice on Tuesday: “I don’t think that was anything major.” Woods is set to practice on Thursday, possibly filling Davis’ spot in the lineup.
ED Gabe Jacas: The Patriots’ second-round draft pick “continues to progress well” and that is getting “closer to return to play.” Jacas has been on the non-football injury list since he signed his rookie contract on Day 2 of camp because of a knee procedure he underwent in the offseason. Due to questions about that knee, the team added some rather unusual safety measures to his deal. Vrabel also positively mentioned Jacas’ attentiveness in meetings and doing “everything he needed to do” to get on the field and up to speed.
ED Harold Landry III: While Vrabel did not give any concrete information about the team captain, he “probably would say that Gabe’s closer to coming back than Harold is.”
PUP/NFI players: None of the five players on those lists — Jacas, Landry, RB Terrell Jennings, TE C.J. Dippre, S Brenden Schooler — are set to return just yet.
The Patriots will hold their fifth practice of the summer on 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday. Despite rainy conditions, the session is set to take place outdoors.
