Rookie free agent wide receiver Chas Gessner began the 21-day practice window this week. The window allows players on the Physically Unable to Perform list to practice with the team for 21 days before the team must decide to release the player, activate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on PUP for the remainder of the season.
The 6-4, 214-pound Brown University graduate injured a leg during mini camp and has not practiced with the team since. Gessner led the nation with 11.4 receptions per game as a senior at Brown in 2002, finishing with 114 catches, the third best total in NCAA Division I-AA history. His 292 career collegiate receptions ranks fourth in I-AA, while his 36 touchdowns ranks second in Ivy League history.
Gessner can now practice with the Patriots up until the week leading up to the Dallas Cowboys game before the team must make a decision on his roster status.
Rookie linebacker Tully Banta-Cain was the first Patriot of the four PUP players to begin practicing when he worked out a week ago. Banta-Cain was subsequently activated to the 53-man roster and played in last Sunday's game in Miami against the Dolphins.
