Patriots Training Camp: Pads, Injuries, Run Game - Day 5 Notebook

The New England Patriots conditioning was put to the test as the team held its first day of training camp practices while wearing full pads.

FOXBORO — In the words of Cobra Kai sensei John Kreese, the New England Patriots are "about to begin their REAL training.”

While that comparison might seem a bit too intense for only the fifth day of training camp practices, it is relevant. It was “Pad Monday” for the Pats as they took the field about 20 minutes after their scheduled start time of 9:45 a.m.

When the pads are put on, the contact increases, the attitudes intensify and the action on the field gets a bit more real. As such, coach Bill Belichick and the Pats staff pushed back the start of practice to ensure that everyone present was "ready to go." 

Here are some highlights from Day 5 on a comfortable, partly sunny day in New England ...

Roll Call 

Running back/receiver Ty Montgomery was sidelined for his third straight practice, as he continues to recover from an apparent ankle injury suffered during team drills last Thursday.

Rookie offensive lineman Jake Andrews, who also missed Sunday's practice, was not present, while veteran linebacker Terez Hall was a first-time absentee. 

Offensive tackle Michael Onwenu and special teamer Cody Davis — who remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list — and offensive tackle Calvin Anderson— who continued his time on the non-football illness (NFI) list — were also absent and have yet to practice with the team during camp.  

After missing Sunday's session, rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte returned to the field for practice on Monday. 

Quarterback Snapshot

Mac Jones completed 8 for 10 passes during team drills, including going 7 for 7 passes in 11-on-11s. With the emphasis on the run game, Jones' passes were largely comprised of shorter passes and screens. 

Bailey Zappe connected on 4 of 8 passes in total team drills, with an unofficial stat line of 3 for 7 during 11-on-11s. While Jones' passes remained compact, Zappe took more chances downfield, missing a handful of low-percentage throws. 

Lastly, Trace McSorley completed 2 of 6 passes in limited duty.

Undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham, who has seen nearly all of his work throughout the offseason at receiver, took some snaps under center during a four-man team drill near the midway point of practice. 

Offense Observations

At the outset of team drills, left guard Cole Strange appeared to suffer an injury to his lower left leg. the second-year lineman was attended to by the team's training staff, before being examined on the training table. Though he was briefly replaced by rookie Atonio Mafi, Strange eventually returned to the field. 

Tight end Scotty Washington and reserve lineman Chasen Hines also left the field during team drills to tend to injuries. 

New England's running backs received their largest workload of camp, to date. With starter Rhamondre Stevenson limited to conditioning drills, second-year rushers Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris took the majority of the team's offensive snaps. Strong focused on second-level exercises, with Harris getting the bulk of his looks as the team's feature back. Veteran J.J. Taylor also saw some action during team drills, in an otherwise quiet day for the offense. 

In addition to Strange's injury, starting left tackle Trent Brown was a limited participant on Monday. Though his status did not appear to be injury related -- as he was praised by Belichick prior to the start of practice for both his weight and conditioning -- Brown's limitations did cause some shuffling of the starting unit. Riley Reiff saw the majority of his reps at left tackle, while Mafi subbed for Strange at left guard. David Andrews manned the center position, while Bill Murray and Conor McDermott aligned at right guard and tackle respectively. 

Defense Observations

Reserve defensive back Brad Hawkins appeared to suffer a lower body injury during team drills. Hawkins hit the ground in noticeable pain before being helped from the field by New England's trainers. 

Whether the reason is fitness or finance, linebacker Matthew Judon was once again limited in practice on Monday. As a result, rookie Keion White. The Georgia Tech product was a jack of all trades during the approximately 90-minute session. The 6-4, 287-pounder aligned at outside linebacker, set in a three-point stance, rushed the passer, played the run, and even dropped into coverage as well. White is still considered a developmental talent as a pass-rush prospect. However, he can also be an immediate contributor against the run, provided he is placed on the edges. Based on his usage early in camp, he projects as a notable contributor to the Pats defense this season. 

Pats Have Their Punter

At the risk of sounding "over the ZZ Top," Patriots punter Bryce Baringer has a leg and he knows how to use it. After being selected at No. 192 in the sixth round of this year's draft, Beringer entered New England to fill a position of need. Fortunately for the Patriots, he appears to have the tools to more than adequately fill it. 

Per resident hang-time tracker Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Baringer boomed a plethora of aesthetically pleasing punts during special teams activities, including those with hang times of 5.02, 5.09, 5.21 and 5.31 being the most impressive.

The ex-Spartan is clearly living up to his resume. In 2022, Baringer broke the Michigan State record for yards-per-punt (49.0) while also ranking first in Big Ten history in career punting average with 46 yards. 

Up Next

The Patriots will return to the practice fields adjacent to Gillette Stadium at 11 a.m. on Tuesday for their sixth training camp practice. 

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