FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots returned to the practice field after taking Sunday off, following their 24-21 preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night. It's back to work on a short week with a road trip for the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns scheduled for Thursday.
Here are the takeaways from Day 21 of training camp:
1. Christian Gonzalez returns
After not having practiced since August 10, Christian Gonzalez was back out on the field as a full participant on Monday. The cornerback took one rep during the one-on-one drill, breaking up a touchdown pass from Drake Maye to A.J. Brown. He then was in coverage on an incomplete pass to DeMario Douglas during the two-on-two drill. He also participated during the team drills.
2. Patriots struggle on ground conditions
The Patriots
were slipping left and right during Monday's practice, with numerous players losing their footing at different moments during the individual and team drills.
“Everybody was slipping, right? It’s just something we got to get used to,” Rhamondre Stevenson said. “You know, if that’s the field conditions, we have to get used to it and know how to plant. Plant on our outside foot and, you know, sit on our feet.”
3. TreVeyon Henderson leaves practice early
With the turf causing some issues for the Patriots on Monday, it seemed TreVeyon Henderson got banged up after slipping on a cut during the team period. He spent some time with trainers, getting his right foot/ankle looked at before leaving practice early.
With Henderson out, that left three running backs at practice: Rhamondre Stevenson, Hassan Haskins, and JaMycal Hasty. Lan Larison and Jam Miller were both sidelined, head coach Mike Vrabel revealed before practice.
4. Greg Van Roten gets increased opportunities
For the first time this summer, Drake Maye took snaps from a center who was not Jared Wilson. Veteran Greg Van Roten, who signed with the team last week, slotted in at times with the starting unit, taking reps at left guard, center, and right guard.
5. John Saunders is unstoppable this summer
John Saunders is a name that has certainly become well-known throughout the summer, simply because of how many times the safety has managed to find the ball in his hands. And he continued his impressive performance, with Saunders intercepting Tommy DeVito in the two-minute drill, which marked his fifth of the summer.
“John definitely has the most turnovers this camp. He’s been balling out of control,” Byard said. “Even in the preseason games, he’s been balling out. So, it’s been really good to see him because obviously a guy like him who was on a practice squad last year here, you know, fighting for a spot, taking advantage of every opportunity that he’s getting. It’s been really good to see.”
6. Two new faces at practice
The Patriots had two need players at practice.
Guard Jack Conley, who played college ball at Boston College and was recently released by the Cleveland Browns, was spotted on the field wearing No. 67.
The Patriots also had veteran punter Matt Haack, who has played for nine NFL seasons with six teams, including Arizona, New York, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Buffalo, and Miami. He spent the summer with the Commanders, but was waived on August 18. This comes after Bryce Baringer was injured during Saturday's preseason game, with Vrabel saying the team would be bringing in someone new.
Both players signed with the Patriots, sources told Patriots Wire.
7. Quarterback stats
Drake Maye: 11-of-13 in 11s | 7-of-9 in 7s
Tommy DeVito: 2-of-9, INT in 11s | 3-of-3 in 7s
It was a heavy red zone emphasis on Monday, with a short 7-on-7 period followed by longer 11-on-11 session. Maye had touchdown passes to Brown, Kayshon Boutte, and Rhamondre Stevenson.
8. Attendance
Absent: S Craig Woodson, P Bryce Baringer, WR Kobe Prentice, RB Jam Miller, RB Lan Larison, CB Kenneth Harris, OT Marcus Bryant, ED Xavier Holmes, LB Khalil Jacobs, OL Mehki Butler, OT Lorenz Metz, OL Ben Brown, DL Cory Durden
Returned: CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Channing Canada (red non-contact jersey)
PUP/NFI: ED Harold Landry III, S Brenden Schooler
9. Other notes
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson had an impressive catch during the situational drill to end practice with the offense having 55 seconds on the clock and the ball at the 35-yard line. He made a 15-yard grab in the back corner of the end zone with linebacker Robert Spillane in tight coverage.
- James Hudson was back at tackle after being moved to guard for some time this summer, which was most likely due to the injury to Marcus Bryant.
- Quintayvious Hutchins recorded two would-be sacks with the second-team defense.
What's next?
The Patriots will be back on the field for their 22nd training camp practice on Tuesday, which will be the final one before their third preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Patriots' vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden will also be speaking with reporters, as will defensive assistant coaches and a select group of players.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 9 takeaways from Day 21 of Patriots training camp
