FOXBOROUGH - Practice No. 19 of 2024 is in the books; let's run down all you need to know:
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
New offensive line debuts: Vederian Lowe, who went out of Wednesday's session with a left torso injury, eventually emerged to watch practice but the Patriots seemed to be moving on with a new offensive line that may make some people happy (me):
LT Chuks Okorafor
LG Sidy Sow
C David Andrews
RG Layden Robinson
RT Mike Onwenu
This has been my preferred offensive line for some time. But due to some issues (mostly Okorafor not being the biggest fan of left tackle) that hasn't happened until today. Lowe's injury my have made them get around to the inevitable. But Robinson's big push the past couple of weeks also made it a reality. This could very well be their best offensive line.
Drake Maye gets more snaps with Andrews but...: Maye got a handful of snaps today with Andrews but it dwarfed those of Jacoby Brissett, and it didn't seem to have to do much with a "competition." The Patriots were in shells and they worked off cards almost exclusively (there wasn't much to note in this practice). This felt like a game prep session and the snap distribution had to do with the plan for the game: it appears Brissett will start, Maye will get a series with Andrews and then he'll stay in with the backups for the rest of the first half.
Hunter Henry starts to ramp up: For the first time since he was injured, Henry went through a rehab workout and then he was active with the players and coaches watching the rest of practice. Seems like his comeback is starting.
Kicking competition update: Joey Slye was 3 of 4 and Chad Ryland was 3 of 5. Slye now has four more makes over the course of camp than Ryland with the same attempts.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: WR Kendrick Bourne, LG Cole Strange, LB Sione Takitaki
Non-football injury list: None.
Red non-contact jerseys: None.
Returned to practice:
Out: DT Christian Barmore, S Marte Mapu, TE Hunter Henry, OT Calvin Anderson (left wrist), DE Joshua Uche, DE Oshane Ximines, WR JaQuae Jackson, TE Mitchell Wilcox (right hamstring), OT Vederian Lowe (left torso).
Limited: None.
New injuries: CB Mikey Victor left with an injury and did not return.
DRESS CODE
Shells.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2:30 under mostly sunny skies.
ODDS AND ENDS
- Maye was picked off on his first and only play of a 1:03, need-a-field-goal game situation. His pass was tipped by Dell Pettus and DT Trysten Hill picked it off.
- Brissett's drive in the same situation resulted in a field goal. Maye's unit has really struggled when it comes to game situations.
- But Maye had another good day overall. Brissett is scuffling. Throws late into coverage a lot. Maye finds more open receivers.