FOXBOROUGH — Good morning for the first of the final two open practices at Gillette. Busy morning, so let's get to it.
The Patriots have traded a seventh-round pick to the Falcons for TE Eric Saubert. That could be a sign the team is not optimistic that Matt LaCosse will be back anytime soon after sustaining an ankle injury in the Lions game.
Notes on LaCosse, including the opinion of an NFL executive, and other notes (Cole Croston possibly back, no N'Keal Harry or LaCosse to start practice):
- Saubert is 6-5, 250 pounds and a good athlete. A fifth-round pick in 2017, Saubert has five catches for 48 yards in two seasons.
- One NFL executive: "More pass game than run game value: not bringing him there to win the point of attack ... closer to a (Jacob) Hollister type."
- There's a new No. 74 with the offensive linemen and it sure looks like Cole Croston, who was waived two weeks ago with an injury designation. That was his number previously.
- Harry (leg) and LaCosse (ankle) are not on the field.
- Lance Kendricks (head) is back in a red jersey.
- Nate Ebner is back in a regular jersey.
- Isaiah Wynn took starting LT reps in walkthroughs but subbed with Dan Skipper.
- Wynn has definitely taken another step today. He took a 1-on-1 rep, and his really getting after it as the offense works against the scout team. Looks good. Low and powerful.
- Brady has thrown a couple picks today in early work.
- Duke Dawson is getting more run at safety.
- Shilique Calhoun continues to get first-team work.
- Brady's opening weapons: James White, Braxton Berrios, Maurice Harris, Jakobi Meyers and Phillip Dorsett.