FOXBORO, Mass. — Oh, what a difference DeMario Douglas makes for the New England Patriots offense.
Douglas, arguably the Patriots’ best receiver, sat out of team drills for the first six training camp practices while nursing a left-hand injury. The diminutive slot weapon was eased back into the offense on Thursday, but Friday saw Douglas fuel a standout practice for the passing game, with Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye both enjoying strong days.
Let’s get into everything that stood out on Day 8 of Patriots training camp.
Patriots Practice Observations for Friday, Aug. 2
Attire
Helmets and shells.
Attendance
The following players were absent from practice:
- LB Sione Takitaki (PUP)
- OL Jake Andrews (PUP)
- OL Cole Strange (PUP)
- DT Christian Barmore
- S/LB Marte Mapu
- TE Jaheim Bell
- OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (no longer with team)
- RB Deshaun Fenwick (no longer with team)
- CB Marcus Jones
- DB Joshuah Bledsoe
This was the first missed practice for both Jones and Bledsoe.
Fenwick and Wheatley both were released on Friday. Recently signed tackle Kellen Diesch was wearing Wheatley’s old No. 72, while newly signed safety A.J. Thomas was wearing Fenwick’s old No. 35.
New Patriots tackle Kellen Diesch is here and wearing No. 72 — Tyrone Wheatley Jr.'s number. Wheatley didn't practice yesterday and now appears to be gone pic.twitter.com/9Jxnu3ZsV2
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 2, 2024
Barmore, who was diagnosed with blood clots on Sunday, has now missed four consecutive practices. It’s unclear whether he’ll return at any point this season.
Mapu hasn’t practiced since the start of camp. He’s watched in street clothes every day, and his injury situation remains a mystery.
Jake Andrews is dealing with an undisclosed injury. We haven’t seen him down on the rehab field, and it’s fair to wonder whether he’s dealing with a long-term injury.
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Bell missed his third consecutive practice. The rookie tight end’s injury situation is unclear.
Strange continues to rehab from a torn patellar tendon suffered late last season. He might sit out half the 2024 season, if not the entire campaign.
Takitaki is still recovering from an offseason knee scope, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. The veteran linebacker previously said he wouldn’t miss a single day of camp, but he’s yet to appear in a single practice.
Here are some additional injury notes:
- Douglas and Shaun Wade both wore red non-contact jerseys. Douglas began practice in a regular jersey but switched to a non-contact uniform after the stretching period.
- Offensive tackle Calvin Anderson suffered an apparent left leg/foot injury during an early 11-on-11 period. He stayed down on the field for a few minutes before limping to the trainers’ shed. Anderson eventually returned to practice.
Absence list for today's Patriots practice:
Mapu, Takitaki, Bledsoe, Marcus Jones, Fenwick, Jake Andrews, Strange, Bourne, Bell, Barmore.
Judon is here. So is new tackle Kellen Diesch (replacing Tyrone Wheatley Jr.) and a new No. 35 on defense. Fenwick is/was 35 on offense. pic.twitter.com/uLRGaTcq1X
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 2, 2024
Matthew Judon Watch
Judon was a full participant in his first padded practice of camp. He also participated Thursday when the Patriots were in helmets and shells.
There were questions about whether Judon, who skipped two padded practices earlier this week due to a contract dispute, would show up on Friday. Judon also didn’t participate in any fully padded practices last summer while in contract talks with Bill Belichick.
But he was out there on Friday, potentially signaling he and the Patriots are making progress in negotiations.
Judon, who’ll turn 32 this month, is entering a contract year and hasn’t guaranteed any money. He’s gone public with his desire for a new deal and his practice participation has fluctuated throughout the offseason.
Patriots’ QB Training Camp Battle | Day 8
Jacoby Brissett
11-on-11s: 12-for-21, two sacks, three drops
7-on-7s: 4-for-5
This arguably was Brissett’s best practice of camp, at least in terms of degree of difficulty.
The veteran pushed the ball downfield throughout team drills and remained a calm, steadying presence for the offense. He ended a two-minute drill by hitting Douglas for a roughly 25-yard TD on a seam route, the kind of play we didn’t see before Douglas’ return.
Maye remains the story of camp, regardless of how well he plays, but Brissett has been the best QB since Day 1 and has a comfortable lead in the quarterback competition.
Drake Maye
11-on-11s: 7-for-9, two scrambles
7-on-7s: 4-for-4, scramble
After struggling for three consecutive practices, including two in full pads, Maye now is on a two-day hot streak, with Friday representing his best day in pads — by far.
The rookie quarterback still isn’t pushing the ball down the field — nor are the Patriots asking him to — but he’s developing chemistry with receivers on short and intermediate routes. Most importantly, Maye on Friday showed continued improvement with his patience, footwork, and command of the offense.
Maye was particularly good during his lone 7-on-7 period when he threw two impressive “touchdowns” while on the move. He’s been much more decisive since returning from the off day.
Joe Milton III
11-on-11s: 0-for-1, drop
7-on-7s: zero reps
Joe Milton III saw just three snaps in team drills and threw only one pass. His opportunities might plummet as the Patriots get deeper into camp, but he should see plenty of action in preseason games.
Bailey Zappe
11-on-11s: zero reps
7-on-7s: zero reps
Bailey Zappe didn’t see any action in team drills and doesn’t appear long for New England. After practice, he was asked about the lack of reps.
“It is hard,” Zappe said. “… I want to be here. I want to help this team win.”
Best and Worst Performances From Day 8 of Patriots Training Camp
WR DeMario Douglas | STUD
Douglas had five catches in team drills, including two “touchdowns.” One of his catches was against Christian Gonzalez, with another against Jonathan Jones.
The second-year receiver unlocks so much for the Patriots offense. He gets open against everyone and gives the quarterbacks a fast, dependable option in the middle of the field. It’s no coincidence that New England’s offense enjoyed its two best practices after Douglas returned to team drills.
Javon Baker | STUD
Ja’Lynn Polk has been the Patriots’ most consistent receiver in camp. But Javon Baker, also a rookie, has the most big-play potential and might be the most talented wideout on the roster.
The fourth-round pick went 3-0 in 1-on-1 drills on Friday and easily got open each time. He left one cornerback in the dust, but we couldn’t tell who they were because their jersey was rolled up. Regardless, it was an impressive rep for Baker. He also caught two balls from Maye in team drills, including a “TD” during 7-on-7s.
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Whether Baker can learn the offense well enough to earn an immediate role remains to be seen. But in Baker, Polk, and Douglas, the Patriots have a young, talented receiving group that fans can feel good about.
Javon Baker always getting open 🔥
Creates tons of seperation here
– #patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime & @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/QD9ttT83Tl
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 2, 2024
Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett | STUD
Brissett was better than Maye, who rarely threw beyond 10 yards. Nevertheless, it was an impressive day for both quarterbacks, and Maye deserves recognition for rebounding so well from his early week slump.
CB Christian Gonzalez | DUD
Gonzalez was excellent early in camp, but he’s been inconsistent over the last few practices. That trend continued Friday when the second-year corner lost to Polk in 1-on-1s and gave up three catches in team drills, including a pair of “TDs.” Gonzalez isn’t playing poorly, but he also isn’t locking down receivers on a daily basis.
CB Shaun Wade | DUD
This probably isn’t fair, as Wade often was matched up with Douglas, likely because both players were in non-contact jerseys. It was a mismatch, and Wade didn’t stand a chance. Still, a bad practice is a bad practice, and Wade looked overmatched throughout Friday’s session.
Run Blocking | DUD
It got better later in practice, but overall, the offensive line struggled with run blocking. Half of the rushing attempts in the first 11-on-11 period (four total series) resulted in run stuffs. The left side of the line appeared to have a tough time, especially the second unit.
That said, things improved in the second half, as Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson both found open lanes.
Assorted Patriots’ Notes and Highlights From Day 8 of Camp
- It was another hot and muggy day in Foxboro. Just brutal.
- Former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan watched practice.
Matt Ryan is at today's Patriots practice. Choppin it up with @kstone06 pic.twitter.com/s0vwhqcwwh
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 2, 2024
- These were the top offensive line combinations, from left to right:
First group: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor/Calvin Anderson
Second group: Caedan Wallace, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett/Atonio Mafi, Layden Robinson, Calvin Anderson/Zuri Henry - Henry replaced Anderson after he suffered his injury.
- Trysten Hill and Keion White both had sacks.
- There was a game-like feel to this practice, as evidenced by Jerod Mayo yelling “halftime” at the start of a mid-practice water break.
- Azizi Hearn, Marco Wilson, and Jaylinn Hawkins all had pass breakups.
- Kicking competition update: Chad Ryland went 5-of-5; Joey Slye went 4-of-5. Ryland has the edge to this point.
- Polk and Tyquan Thornton also did well in 1-on-1s, with Thornton getting wide-open against Hearn. Watch it here.
- Here are additional highlights from Friday’s practice. The Patriots will return to the field on Saturday morning.
Pop Douglas drilling option routes. pic.twitter.com/pbZMRYRsxG
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 2, 2024
Drake Maye with a great throw to Ja’Lynn Polk against Christian Gonzalez
–#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/OfQxKNnELi— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 2, 2024
Javon Baker gets OPEN again and makes a tough grab in 1v1s
Stumbled at the end and still made the catch 👀
– #patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime & @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/08wimQDAZ2
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 2, 2024
Joe Milton with a bullet to Javon Baker
–#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/okEz46F72Z— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 2, 2024
Drake Maye to Ja’Lynn Polk at Patriots Training Camp
–#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/Reu8QgH0PO— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 2, 2024
Another Great Throw from Drake Maye
–#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/c4FAwL5GFK— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 2, 2024