Just two days after dropping a late preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Patriots were back on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium on Saturday for a shortened and dialed-down session that featured new absences and new opportunities for some of the team's rookies.
The offensive line group was notably thin with Nick Leverett and Calvin Anderson not participating. Their absences alone meant that there would be some juggling, with Mike Onwenu taking some snaps at tackle for the first time since the early weeks of camp.
"We just got a few guys out. So, we're all kind of getting reps and, you know, just practicing for the worst," said Onwenu afterward. "Just getting those reps today, thought that I only got maybe six or eight reps, so the more I get, or the more practice I take, [the more I] get comfortable with it."
The practice lasted only about 90 minutes but featured plenty of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11, but with a distinctly different feel as the first training camp practice without any fans in attendance.
Fresh off a promising performance against the Eagles, Drake Maye carried some momentum into Saturday's practice, showing consistency in 7-on-7's, and also hitting Kevin Harris on a downfield wheel route with the throw of the day. Maye also found an open Tyquan Thornton in an 11s period, another strike in one of his best days of camp albeit in a toned-down session.
Rookies Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson got some expanded opportunities in practice, as the offensive line remains an area of focus as its depth is tested without the versatile interior lineman Leverett or the versatile tackle Anderson.
Wallace appears to be settling in at right tackle, but admitted how tough the jump to the NFL has been.
"This is just different, it's a different caliber of athlete I'm going against every day," said Wallace after practice. "It's a lot more on the mental [side], getting new installs and having to just memorize a bunch of different things... Everyone is, like, really good. So there's, like, no plays off. Everyone's on everyone, there's no guys that are not good out here."
The Patriots will be back on the field on Sunday for another media-only practice as they enter their final week before facing the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football, in the final game of the NFL preseason.
Practice Notes
Marcus Jones and Jonathan Jones were both present and participants at practice...Joshua Uche and Oshane Ximines were among those not spotted, both are key pass rush pieces post-Judon...Tyquan Thornton has resumed his strong summer after missing a session last week...Austin Hooper left practice and did not return, his experience in the offense has been clear in camp, with Henry already out could mean more Jaheim Bell this week...Marcellas Dial saw some slot reps, otherwise the competition at CB between Marco Wilson, Alex Austin and Isaiah Bolden continues.
Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Elliot Wolf is slated to talk before Sunday's practice session.
Quotes of Note
Raekwon McMillan on coming back from his second season-ending injury in three seasons with the Patriots:
"I feel like I've been here so many times, from being at the rock bottom, not able to walk around, my girl helping me throughout the house, my mom, my grandma, my whole tribe, helping me around, flying, having to sit at a particular seat because I had to kick my foot up, just the grind of it. I mean, it took its toll. But, you know, I keep saying I'm blessed to be able to be back out here on the field, doing my thing. I try not to think about it as much. When I come out on the field, I thank God for another opportunity and keep it going."
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