The New England Patriots had to be under the 75-player limit by 4:00 p.m. ET, which was also when the team started today’s practice session. The session was held on the fields behind Gillette Stadium and under crystal-clear skies.
While the conditions where perfect, attendance was not:
Not seeing Slater, Dion, Cre'Von, Scheu, Elandon Roberts, Humber, McClellin, Vollmer, Solder at Patriots practice. Solder at charity event.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 30, 2016
Elandon Roberts was in attendance. While Steven Scheu has been released, Cre’Von LeBlanc [UDPATE: he is dealing with a hip injury] and Ramon Humber [UPDATE: he has been released] were not in attendance and are in jeopardy of losing their roster spots. LeBlanc in particular is noteworthy, as his chances of making the roster looked stellar before today.
While the players noted above missed the session, one returned:
Kamu Grugier-Hill returned to practice. Was previously out with an illness.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 30, 2016
Seeing Grugier-Hill return is obviously good news for the team’s linebacker position depth chart as well as for the rookie’s chances of making the team.
Grugier-Hill’s status was not the only one to change:
DE Rob Ninkovich (triceps) and WR Malcolm Mitchell appear to be full participants at #Patriots practice.
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) August 30, 2016
Tre Jackson, Shaq Mason, Jonathan Cooper and Danny Amendola parted for the conditioning field during drills. Mitchell, Nink, stayed.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 30, 2016
Jackson, who will officially open the season on PUP, joined Mason, Cooper and Amendola (who is also still on PUP) as the lone players doing conditioning work. Seeing Rob Ninkovich (triceps) and Malcolm Mitchell (elbow) not work out with them is obviously good news for the Patriots as both players project to be important options at their respective positions.