ATLANTA — In a season that has been highlighted by a run of good health at the right time for the Patriots, perhaps it was only fitting they had perfect attendance at Friday’s workout, their last practice of the season and final on-field workout of the year.
According to pool reporter Jenny Vrentas, every player was a full participant, including linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who missed Thursday’s practice with an illness, and defensive tackle Malcom Brown, who was limited on Wednesday with a calf injury. That means the seven pregame inactives will again be classified as healthy scratches.
“He did everything today,” Bill Belichick said of Hightower. “You could hear him talking out there, and that’s usually a good sign with him. He has plenty of energy.”
Per Vrentas, the team wore helmets and jerseys (no shells) and practiced with more tempo than in Thursday’s walkthrough.
“This is our sixth practice,” Belichick said. “We have hit everything. I think we are ready to go.”
The practice breakdown, from Vrentas:
The Patriots were focused and business-like as the starting offense and defense alternated 11-on-11 periods against the scout team, working at about three-quarters speed. Belichick said today’s session was a “quick review” and similar to their regular Friday practice, just a little bit shorter. The Patriots covered both regular down and distance plays and also certain situations, including red-zone, two-minute, goal-line, short-yardage and two-point plays. The specialists already kicked at Mercedes-Benz Stadium mid-morning, so in the afternoon, they used JUGS machines to run through the different kicking situations during a couple special-teams periods.