FOXBOROUGH — Some observations from the hill on a nice but windy day at Gillette Stadium ...
• Stefon Diggs was back with the team for his first practice with the media present. He only went through individual drills and jogthroughs with the team. Looked pretty good, had a very slight limp at times but appeared very healthy. Worked a lot on the side with Ja'Lynn Poik, who is also limited. Conversed with many, including Drake Maye and Josh McDaniels. Was definitely involved with the happenings.
• Not present: Anfernee Jennings, Trayveon Williams, Tyrese Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Carlton Davis. Mack Hollins was in street clothes again.
Limited: Diggs, Polk, Michael Onwenu, Austin Hooper, Jaquelin Roy, Wilfried Pene, Jared Wilson, Vederian Lowe.
• LB Jahlani Tavai went down with an apparent lower left leg injury that appeared serious. Practice was halted for several minutes, the music was cut as players took a knee. He was looked over by the team doctors and helped off the field before leaving entirely. ... iOL Wes Schweitzer also went down and limped off, but he returned to practice.
• It was a great day for the passing offense, very efficient. Not really sure what the difference was, but Drake Maye looked very comfortable and in command. There wasn't as much pressure as previous practices open to the media. Maye was 14 of 16 with a scramble, and two perfect periods. Josh Dobbs was 11 of 13 with a drop and sack (Keion White). Ben Wooldridge was 5 of 8 with an INT and drop.
• Maye had two really nice touch passes: a corner route to Kayshon Boutte that was over the CB and in front of the safety, and a nice touch pass deep to Rhamondre Stevenson. He did get away with a couple of passes that were thrown a little bit behind.
• Working in the LB group, in no particular order: Robert Spillane, Christian Eliss, Jack Gibbens, Monty Rice, Marte Mapu, Cam Riley and Tavai, before he left.
• Working in the edge group, in no particular order: Keion White, K'Lavon Chaisson, Truman Jones, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Harold Landry.
• With no Robinson, the left guard competition continued with Cole Strange and Schweitzer getting a lot of reps. Morgan Moses was more involved at RT. The projected starting offensive line continues to be as expected, with left guard wide open. Strange is reps at both guard spots. All the young tackles are reps at both tackle spots.
• Good defensive plays: Rice pass breakup, Jeremiah Pharms pressure, Jack Gibbens came free, Christian Gonzalez tipped a pass that Demario Douglas eventually caught, Jaylinn Hawkins pass break up, Josh Farmer tipped pass.
• UDFA WR Efton Chism had another huge day, catching four passes in six pass attempts at one point.
• TE Jaheim Bell had a tough day with a couple drops.
• Andy Borregales was 4 of 4, and a couple were over 40. John Parker Romo was 2 of 4.
