Patriots Practice Report, Injury Update: Key Offensive Starters Return Ahead of 49ers Game

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots on Monday held their first practice ahead of a Week 4 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.

It was a bonus day for Jerod Mayo and company, who played Thursday and typically hold their first game-week practices on Wednesdays. Mayo said the session’s purpose was for self-scouting rather than game-planning for the 49ers.

Let’s go over everything we saw during Monday’s practice

New England Patriots Practice Attendance l Monday, Sept. 23

The following players were absent:

• CB Alex Austin
• TE Hunter Henry
• LB Ja’Whaun Bentley

Absence list for today's #Patriots practice:

Alex Austin
Hunter Henry
Ja'Whaun Bentley

Vederian Lowe, Anfernee Jennings, and Michael Jordan all limited.

Unclear why Henry is out. Maybe a rest day.

Sidy Sow and Caedan Wallace both are here pic.twitter.com/DCGdzNf3pu

— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) September 23, 2024

Alex Austin suffered an injury during last week’s loss to the New York Jets.

Ja’Whaun Bentley could miss the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle, so his absence wasn’t a surprise.

The reason for Hunter Henry’s absence is unclear. It’s possible the Patriots gave him a veteran’s rest day.

Vederian Lowe, Michael Jordan, and Anfernee Jennings all were limited.

Lowe sat out Week 3 due to a knee injury. He worked out on a stationary bike to start practice but didn’t participate in any drills.

Jordan also suffered an injury during the Jets game. His absence coincided with the return of top left guard Sidy Sow, who hadn’t practiced since suffering an ankle injury in the preseason finale.

Jennings was on the field to start practice but left after a few minutes. It’s unclear whether he’s dealing with an injury.

Notably, rookie Caedan Wallace was on the field and participating after injuring his right knee last Thursday. He slotted in as the top left tackle next to Sow.

Leftover Notes from Patriots Practice

• This was the chilliest practice yet. Autumn definitely has arrived in New England.
• The Patriots ran through various conditioning drills during the media-access portion of practice.

The Patriots spent the early portion of practice running through conditioning drills pic.twitter.com/UEq0pZiWHa

— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) September 23, 2024

• De facto general manager Eliot Wolf showed up roughly five minutes into practice.
• Offensive line coaches utilized bungee chords while running tackles through intense drills. Obviously, poor tackle play was a huge issue for New England in the first three games.
• Here are additional highlights from Monday’s practice. The Patriots will take Tuesday off before returning to practice on Wednesday.

#MayeWatch pic.twitter.com/reMQInj2rA

— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) September 23, 2024

Speedy Joe Milton pic.twitter.com/YsDxKCir06

— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) September 23, 2024

🏃‍♂️Drake Maye 🏃‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/lUtun9SpNs

— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) September 23, 2024

Patriots quarterbacks warming up early in practice pic.twitter.com/Z6F7hDY2QY

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) September 23, 2024