Notes from Patriots training camp 8/15/2016: TE Rob Gronkowski hurt, CB Malcolm Butler kicked out

Well that was an active joint practice between the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears. Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell returned to the field for the stretching portion, but didn’t partake in the drills, while tight end Rob Gronkowski pulled up lame in the middle of 7-on-7s.

Of course, there’s nothing to be concerned about at this point in time. It’s a bajillion degrees out at Foxboro, so some players are going to experience discomfort with their muscles. I’d much rather Gronkowski leave the field under his own power than be carried off later. Hopefully the trainers will take care of him and he’ll return in short time.

In other news, there were multiple fights that broke out during the day. Per head coach Bill Belichick’s joint practice rules, any player involved in a serious fight will get kicked out of practice.

Cornerback Malcolm Butler was getting in the face of Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and a fight erupted around them. Butler was sent off the field.

Another fight happened with tight end Martellus Bennett- who spent the past three seasons with the Bears- and Chicago edge defender Lamarr Houston. Neither player was kicked out of practice.

Patriots linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill got into a scrap of his own, but he also recorded an interception earlier in practice- the two facts are unrelated, but it paints a full picture.

Here are our practice notes.

Attendance

The Patriots were without OG Jonathan Cooper (foot), S Nate Ebner (conditioning), RB Dion Lewis (knee), LB Shea McClellin (?), ED Jabaal Sheard (?), DB Brock Vereen (?), and OT Sebastian Vollmer (?). WR Danny Amendola and OG Tre Jackson were in attendance, but not in pads and did not participate.

It should be noted that both McClellin and Vereen are former Bears. However, TE Martellus Bennett was at practice, so that’s just a coincidence.

Injuries

TE Rob Gronkowski pulled up with an upper leg and/or groin issue. This is pure speculation and I’m sure we’ll find out more in a few hours.

Mitchell, Jackson, and Amendola were joined by RB D.J. Foster, RB Donald Brown, TE Bryce Williams, ED Rob Ninkovich, and WR Keshawn Martin in conditioning work apart from the team.

Offense

Wide receiver Julian Edelman took part in practice and was planting and competing. Hopefully last week’s scare is behind him and he’s getting healthier and closer to a full return.

The Patriots continue to play center David Andrews and right guard Shaq Mason with the top unit. Whenever Vollmer returns to the field, I think we will see a Nate Solder, Joe Thuney, Andrews, Mason, Vollmer unit for as long as they can remain healthy. I wonder how this plays into the roster building with Jonathan Cooper and his foot injury.

Defense

It was apparently a great day for the Patriots cornerbacks against the Bears wide receivers:

S Jordan Richards and LB Kamu Grugier-Hill both recorded interceptions.

LB Jonathan Freeny and ED Trey Flowers joined the top team defense with both McClellin and Ninkovich not participating.

Special Teams

The Patriots did a lot of work on punt coverage after Thursday’s disaster.