Three players returned to the field, and rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell made some big plays. The common idea is that the back-up quarterbacks struggled, but wide receiver Aaron Dobson has strung together three straight fantastic days at camp to possibly salvage a roster spot.
This marks the third and final of this week's mandatory minicamps.
Notes compiled from NESN's Doug Kyed, the Herald's Jeff Howe, ProJo's Mark Daniels, the Globe's Ben Volin, ESPN's Mike Reiss, MassLive's Kevin Duffy, WEEI's Chris Price, and the CSNNE crew.
Absentees (* notes new absences): WR Danny Amendola (knee), RB LeGarrette Blount (hip), S Nate Ebner (Olympics), WR Julian Edelman (foot), TE Rob Gronkowski (minor), S Duron Harmon (?), G Tre Jackson (knee), LB C.J. Johnson (?), G Josh Kline (shoulder), RB Dion Lewis (knee), G Shaq Mason (knee), CB Logan Ryan (?), T Nate Solder (biceps), T Sebastian Vollmer (?), TE Michael Williams (ACL)*
Returned: RB Brandon Bolden, TE Clay Harbor, WR Malcolm Mitchell
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady was 29 of 37 (78.4%), while Jimmy Garoppolo was 29 of 41 (70.7%) with two interceptions, and Jacoby Brissett was 30 of 43 (69.8%) with an interception.
Brady Fun Time: Nothing reported as of yet!
Who is this Aaron Dobson?:
Aaron Dobson made another nice grab today - leaping over Justin Coleman
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) June 9, 2016
Aaron Dobson had another really strong day at Patriots minicamp, probably his strongest yet. Made some difficult catches downfield.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) June 9, 2016
Another really nice day for Aaron Dobson, who did well to take advantage of opportunities with others out.
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) June 9, 2016
Secondary watch: Rookie cornerback Cyrus Jones and linebacker Dont'a Hightower intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo. Rookie linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill intercepted Jacoby Brissett, and had a second pass breakup.
Punt players: Rookie Cyrus Jones muffed a punt for the second straight day. Fellow rookie D.J. Foster also returned punts.
Midpractice injuries: RB D.J. Foster "appeared to tweak his left hamstring" and stayed on the sideline for the rest of practice.
Misc Notes: Despite the injury, Foster received a lot of praise today. "Moves the best of the group," notes MassLive's Duffy; "Looks like the fastest back," adds ProJo's Daniels. Daniels also notes that DT Markus Kuhn was getting serious reps. WEEI's Price says that "Chris Hogan continued to catch just about everything thrown in his direction." Former Patriots wide receiver Troy Brown continues to advise the receivers on the field.
Play of the Day:
Play of Day 3 of Patriots minicamp made by WR Malcolm Mitchell with a leaping one-handed grab in the end zone during 11-on-11s from Brissett
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) June 9, 2016
Malcolm Mitchell made the catch of the day with a leaping one-handed grab during 11v11s. The ball was over his head and it was impressive.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) June 9, 2016
Play of the day comes from Malcolm Mitchell with a leaping one-handed touchdown grab off a ball from Jacoby Brissett.
— Erik Frenz (@ErikFrenz) June 9, 2016
Patriots practice concludes. Windy day. WR Malcolm Mitchell had 1 play of day with leaping 1-handed grab in end zone from Jacoby Brissett.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 9, 2016
Dont'a Hightower with a nice pick of Jimmy Garoppolo. Probably the defensive play of the day.
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) June 9, 2016
RB Donald Brown had the catch of the day with a Willue Mays catch. Cyrus Jones muffed a punt for the 2nd straight day
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) June 9, 2016
Videos and Pictures:
Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/NeOJVHRe0t
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) June 9, 2016
Here's Tom Brady with Ernie Adams in the background #pinkstripes pic.twitter.com/dRZ1JQr158
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) June 9, 2016
Here's a look at the running back drills and the foot speed of D.J. Foster pic.twitter.com/dVj2GQkqYY
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) June 9, 2016
Here's Tom Brady hitting D.J. Foster deep pic.twitter.com/bCWpsHadqn
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) June 9, 2016
Video: Here is a look at rookie WR Malcolm Mitchell early in practice as he works with coach Chad O'Shea. pic.twitter.com/W5ednm3CON
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 9, 2016
Patriots running backs worked through agility drills early in practice under the watchful eye of Ivan Fears. pic.twitter.com/ibFL3HFhxS
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) June 9, 2016
Belichick spent time talking to QBs on the intricacies of handing off early in practice. Details, details, details. pic.twitter.com/tOiqfMAbd2
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) June 9, 2016
Video: Bill Belichick gets down to the finer details on QB/RB exchange at today's practice. pic.twitter.com/HwOolr8m40
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 9, 2016
Aaron Dobson on proving himself this offseason pic.twitter.com/CxZGdAAlJg
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) June 9, 2016
Malcolm Mitchell on his great grabs Thursday "there is a lot that has to go right when the ball is in the air" pic.twitter.com/0Gz1rfBLcW
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) June 9, 2016
I'm so so so sorry:
Sweet dreams, @JumboHart pic.twitter.com/kiItLrLmqO
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) June 9, 2016