The first 2016 training camp practice takes place on Thursday and the New England Patriots are already making moves to prepare their roster as well as possible. Not only have they been signing players to fill the back-end of the squad, the Patriots also made other moves.
According to a press release, New England has placed seven players on the active/physically unable to perform list:
WR Danny Amendola
WR Julian Edelman
TE Clay Harbor
OG Tre' Jackson
RB Dion Lewis
OG Shaq Mason
OT Sebastian Vollmer
The seven players – all members of the team’s offense coincidentally – will start training camp on the sidelines but, once physically ready, can come off the list at any point prior to the start of the regular season. If they do not get activated, they will revert to the reserve/PUP list and spend the first six weeks of the season there.
Of the players above, only Lewis and Harbor are minor surprises: both were participants during spring practices. However, the team is apparently playing it safe with the two players, which looks like a smart move.
The absences of the other five – all starters at one point last season – should open the door for younger players to see increased practice snaps.