The Patriots are in the building for the first day of training camp, and with that comes information on players who are initially unable to practice.
Ahead of the Patriots first training camp on Wednesday, New England placed the following players on the active/physically unable to perform list (PUP): G Cole Strange, WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki, and G/C Jake Andrews. The team also placed RB Antonio Gibson on the active/non-football injury list. All five players can be removed anytime, clearing the way for them to begin practicing.
Starting with the expected moves, Bourne and Strange are recovering from injuries last season. Bourne tore his right ACL in the Patriots loss to the Dolphins on Oct. 29, 2023. The expectation was that Bourne wouldn't be ready for the start of camp, just shy of nine months removed from a severe knee injury, while Strange is in a similar situation.
The Patriots projected starting left guard is reportedly dealing with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. Head coach Jerod Mayo indicated in the spring that Strange would be unavailable, as the 2022 first-rounder could miss regular season games. Second-year guard Sidy Sow manned Strange's left guard spot in the spring, with Mike Onwenu and vet Nick Leverett rotating at right guard (Onwenu also played some right tackle).
New England's offensive line configuration could differ depending on where the team slots in Onwenu, an entrenched starter, and the development of third-round OT Caedan Wallace. As Coach Mayo said on Tuesday, the focus is getting their "best five" on the field. If the coaching staff can trust Wallace as a rookie, the Pats best five on paper is LT Chuks Okorafor, LG Sidy Sow, C David Andrews, RG Mike Onwenu, and Wallace at right tackle. If not, Leverett or fourth-rounder Layden Robinson could get the nod at right guard, with Onwenu at right tackle.
As for the more surprising players listed, free-agent addition Antonio Gibson landed on the non-football injury list, indicating he could've suffered an injury while training away from the facility this offseason. Gibson signed a three-year deal with the club in March to join forces with lead-back Rhamondre Stevenson. Gibson is projected to have a featured role as a change-of-pace to Stevenson and a receiving option in the passing game.
Without Gibson, the Patriots already untested running back depth becomes even more depleted. Along with being a nice complement from a skill set standpoint to Stevenson, Gibson was the only proven veteran on the roster behind New England's starter as the clear-cut RB2. The Pats will practice with third-year back Kevin Harris, veteran JaMycal Hasty, and undrafted rookie Deshaun Fenwick as their depth options. Last week, they also placed undrafted rookie Terrell Jennings on the active/PUP list.
The Patriots running back depth was already thin, with Gibson and Stevenson as the only two proven options. If the former has to miss significant time due to his non-football injury, personnel chief Eliot Wolf might need to make a move to bolster New England's backfield.
Next, new addition Sione Takitaki, who also missed time during the spring, will begin the summer on the active/PUP list. Takitaki was brought in as a passing-downs linebacker and special-teamer following Mack Wilson's free-agent departure. The hope is that Takitaki will be cleared to practice shortly. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, he is reportedly recovering from a knee scope he underwent this offseason.
Lastly, second-year G/C Jake Andrews was a limited participant in the spring. Whatever is causing his absence has lingered into a critical camp for the 2023 fourth-round draft choice. Andrews is squarely on the bubble as he fights to be a backup on the interior. He was drafted with the expectation that he could take over at center when captain David Andrews retires, but the younger Andrews needs to carve out a role.
As mentioned, the Patriots can remove players placed on PUP or NFI at any time. Therefore, it's possible some could have short stints as non-participants in practice.
The Patriots hit the practice field for their first training camp session at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Practice on the fields behind Gillette Stadium is open to the public.
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