The New England Patriots continued their training camp on a hot and humid day, but that didn’t stop the festivities.
To set the scene, head coach Bill Belichick was apparently running hill sprints before the start of practice, per the Globe’s Ben Volin, and former wide receiver and college-level wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood was present.
Here is Tiquan Underwood’s magnificent fade from the back. Guest at Patriots training camp today. pic.twitter.com/GXtCk2IYrj
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) July 27, 2018
Injuries
Marcus Cannon left the field with the trainers, while Jordan Matthews was temporarily grounded, but returned per NESN’s Doug Kyed. ESPN’s Mike Reiss is not concerned about Cannon and says he could return to practice as early as tomorrow.
Brandon Bolden was removed from the non-football injury list and returned to practice, per ProJo’s Mark Daniels.
Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones, Nate Ebner, and Matthew Slater were limited, per NESN’s Zack Cox.
Offense
According to Kyed, the Patriots quarterbacks had an up-and-down day and Hoyer is definitely well ahead of Etling on the depth chart.
Tom Brady was just 8-of-15 in 11s and 12-19 overall.
Brian Hoyer 10-13, INT in 11s, 12-17 INT overall.
Danny Etling was 2-6 with an INT in 11s.
When Cannon suffered his injury, he was replaced in the line-up by LaAdrian Waddle, which reflects the offensive tackle depth chart and rookie Isaiah Wynn at the bottom of it. Trent Brown and Joe Thuney were again with the starting unit, per Daniels.
Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been turning heads, per Daniels, and made an athletic touchdown grab in the end zone, per NBCSB’s Mike Giardi.
But the pass of the day came between Hoyer and Julian Edelman in the corner of the end zone, per the Herald’s Kevin Duffy.
Rookie Sony Michel practiced with the back-ups, while James White, Rex Burkhead, and Mike Gillislee lined up with the starters according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.
Defense
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING: Devin McCourty is already calling Brian Flores the defensive coordinator: pic.twitter.com/X5CPg1nGJQ
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 27, 2018
Jason McCourty had a strong day breaking up two passes, per Daniels. McCourty is competing with Eric Rowe for a starting job opposite of Stephon Gilmore. Howe notes that McCourty did not allow a reception.
Rookie cornerback J.C. Jackson recorded a nifty interception, per Reiss, and could be considered the #4 cornerback on the depth chart at this point in time.
Gilmore, for his part, had another strong day and made the “play of the day” on a Brady pass directed towards Julian Edelman, per Howe.
Kyle Van Noy had another strong day in coverage and now has four pass break-ups in two days of practice, per Giardi.
Special Teams
Practicing punt returns: Braxton Berrios, Riley McCarron
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 27, 2018
End of Day 2 pic.twitter.com/pr8VjVdyBq
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) July 27, 2018