FOXBOROUGH - Practice No. 5 of 2025 is in the books; let's run down all you need to know: all the stats, 3 up/down, 1-on-1s, and odds and ends:
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Christian Gonzalez leaves practice with injury: The Patriots were already without starter Carlton Davis for the second-straight practice (and third overall), and the cornerback room was dealt another blow today as Christian Gonzalez left practice with an apparent left leg injury. He appeared to get tangled up with Stefon Diggs on the first rep of 11-on-11s, limped off with the trainers, and then did not return to practice. With both starting cornerbacks out, Alex Austin and Marcus Jones were the starters, and Marcellas Dial was in the slot.
WR Demeer Blakumsee was later carted off the field holding his right ankle.
Red-zone and run-heavy sessions for first padded practice: Of the 41 plays in team periods - all in the red zone, from high to low red - there were only 10 passes attempted as the team got acclimated to being in pads with a lot of work in the running game. The passing game was solid as the QBs combined to go 8 of 10 with 3 TDs (two by Drake Maye) and two sacks. The running game was hit and miss, but the first unit was good.
Rookie linemen split first 1-on-1 reps: Will Campbell lost his first and only 1-on-1 rep today and it had nothing to do with his length. After getting a good initial punch on Keion White, the end ripped Campbell to the ground. Campbell was pretty good in the team periods, however. Jared Wilson stymied Jaquelin Roy to win his rep and continued to get good reps at left guard (every third snap of team) and then center. But there have been issues with his QB/center exchanges. Maye fumbled one, and then juggled two more coming back from center.
Romo early leading in kicking competition?: Parker Romo (7 of 8 to start camp) got all five of the field-goal reps and appeared to go 5 for 5 from 33, 38, 41, 44, 49, and 52 yards. Sixth-round pick Andy Borregales (4 of 8) did not get any reps today. He could get all the reps tomorrow, but the fact that Romo got the first crack today is noteworthy.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: WR Mack Hollins, TE Austin Hooper, OT Vederian Lowe.
Non-football injury list: None.
Red non-contact jerseys: None.
Returned to practice: WR Ja'Lynn Polk, DB Josh Minkins.
Out: CB Carlton Davis, LB Jahlani Tavai.
Limited: DT Christian Barmore (side).
New injuries: CB Christian Gonzalez (left leg), WR Demeer Blakumsee (right ankle).
DRESS CODE
Full pads (first day).
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
1:30 with sunny skies and a lot of humidity.
QB STATS
Team periods
Drake Maye: 4 of 5, 2 TDs, sack (1-1, sack; 1-2; 2 for 2, 2 TDs)
Josh Dobbs: 2 of 2, TD, sack (1 of 1, sack; 1 of 1 TD)
Ben Wooldrige: 2 of 3 (1 of 1, 1 of 1, 0 of 1)
OTHER STATS
Pass breakups: Jaylinn Hawkins, Kyle Dugger.
Sacks: K'Lavon Chaisson (Jared Wilson), Anfernee Jennings/Truman Jones.
Drops: Demario Douglas.
Fumble recovery: Marcellas Dial (Dobbs/Wilson)
Run stuffs (12): Christian Ellis, team, Brenden Schooler 2, Jaquelin Roy 2, Marcellas Dial 2, Jack Gibbens, Cam Riley, Jabrill Peppers, Jordan Polk.
ONE-ON-ONES
Campbell got pulled down by White in a veteran move.
Bradbury was beaten pretty quickly by Tonga, who isn't known for his pass rushing.
Wilson's rep against Roy was impressive. Stymied him.
Moses rode off Landry behind the QB.
Wallace was beaten fairly soundly by Ritzie.
Bryant had a good draw with Chaisson.
PASSING ONE-ONE-ONES FROM GIARDI
1-on-1s (Low red zone, Maye throwing)
-Diggs inside move on Dial, catching the ball near the back pylon. Dial signals out of bounds (tough angle for your boy)
- Misses Pop Douglas on quick inside release.
- Kyle Dugger jars the ball free from Hunter Henry at the front pylon. It might have been a catch and a fumble.
- Stevenson jukes Spillane coming out of the backfield for an easy pitch and catch.
- Maye overthrows Bourne in the corner. Dial covered him well.
- Fade to Jack Westover. He lays out but can't reel pass in despite getting both hands on it.
- Gibson beats Elliss to the corner of the end zone. Nice touch from Maye.
- Boutte overpowers Gonzalez at the top of the route and wins to the post.
- Diggs is well covered by Jones. Gets away with a pushoff and wins in the left flat.
- Peppers draped all over Henry, plus a poor throw from Maye.
- Coming out of the backfield, Henderson undresses Mapu, even after being held. Easy.
- James jars good ball from Maye free from Williams.
- Douglas drops a throw after getting past Dial.
- Hawkins out-physicals Westover and gets a PBU.
- Stevenson leaves Spillane in his wake after several stutter steps.
- Bourne goes through Miles Battle for a win. Some talk of OPI. I wouldn't have thrown a flag.
- Maye misses Diggs, who had Jones in his hip pocket. The throw was behind him.
- Henry slips and falls down in left flat vs. Dugger.
- Gibson hits Elliss with a little return route and loses him in the left flat.
- Boutte ends the drill by beating Gonzalez to the corner and flashing late hands to secure the ball.
TOP PLAY
Not a ton with so much on the running game - will have to wait to hear from Giardi on the 1-on-1s - but the Patriots did have a nifty playaction touchdown from Maye to Ja'Lynn Polk - yes, Polk was back - that will have to suffice.
THREE UP
CB Marcellas Dial: Was boosted up to top nickel once Christian Gonzalez went out, and Dial was impactful with with two run stuffs and a fumble recovery.
WR Kayshon Boutte: Anytime you get the best of Christian Gonzalez twice in 1-on-1s, you're having a good day.
DT Isaiah Iton: Manhandled Caeden Wallace three times in individual matchups and was a force in the run defense.
TWO DOWN
OT Caeden Wallace: New this year, the Patriots are running a drill early in practice where the offensive and defensive line have an engagement drill, where they start engaged and then the offensive linemen is trying to win left or right, depending on the position of the lineman. It's a good way to work on blocking, especially outside zone, without ramming heads. Wallace was absolutely manhandled twice by DT Isaiah Iton, and then Wallace was beaten by Ritzie again in 1-on-1s. He also had a blown block on a run by TreVeyon Henderson.
G/C Jared Wilson: His blocking is fine (if not really good in team), but he had his second and third QB/center exchanges fumbles of camp, with Josh Dobbs and then Drake Maye. Maye also juggled three of Wilson's snaps. This is concerning and something to monitor. He also allowed a sack in team, but it was a tough play to make because the Patriots were popping the center to the backside. It's all timing/deception. Not really on Wilson.
ODDS AND ENDS
- Just about every series, Wilson goes to left guard after the second snap, and then goes to center two snaps after that. He also walked through at right guard.
- Some effective fullback work by Brock Lampe, but he got popped to the ground by Roy on one block.
- Good day for Henderson out of the backfield. He dusted Marte Mapu once.
- Patriots had a nifty screen to Hunter Henry.
- Maye had to turf a boot pass to Henderson because Landry didn't bite.
- Dobbs' playaction boot touchdown to Gee Scott junior completely faked me out and I almost missed it.
- Maye's touchdowns were to Gibson in the flat on a nicely designed play, and great playation to Polk.