New England Patriots training camp continued on Sunday as the team prepares for its second preseason game of the year.

Three days after their season opener against the Carolina Panthers, the New England Patriots returned to the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. Patriots training camp continued on Sunday with the first of three practices for the team ahead of their Week 2 preseason game against the Eagles this Thursday in Gillette.

Sunday was not a day for the players to get back to work after Saturday off. It was another full-gear, high-intensity practice – just like the Patriots have been doing for most of the summer.

Who stood out on Sunday? What were the big headlines? Let’s take a look at the Patriots’ latest training camp bulletin…

Quarterback check-in

Jacoby Brissett got into his rhythm early on Sunday and didn’t let up. The ball rarely hit the ground when he was under center, as he completed nine of his 12 pass attempts in 11-on-11 games. Brissett’s highlight throw came in a red-zone period when he rolled to his right and threw on the run to score KJ Osborn in a tight window in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. After practice, Osborn said the Patriots had added that play this morning and it was Brissett’s third read.

What Drake MayHe had an inconsistent day in terms of performance, but was given more opportunities by the coaching staff. He got the only two-minute (actually 1:21) drive of the practice and was able to get the offense within field goal range. He was 11 of 19 in 11-on-11 games, but had some bad misses. He also had a shot in the red zone that was at the line of Anfernee Jennings then intercepted by Armon Watts on the distraction.

Overall, the coaches seemed to be keen to give both Brissett and Maye more playing time after their limited playing time on Thursday. Joe Milton And Bailey Zappe only got one drive each in full-team drills (7-on-7) and spent most of the day on a side field. This allowed for more snaps for Brissett and Maye. That Brissett got the starting reps but Maye outperformed him overall – albeit with the second team – is more reminiscent of the way the Patriots handled it Noun Newton And Mac Jones in 2021.

Update on the offensive line

The big update on Sunday’s offensive line is… there is no update. It was the same group we saw working against the Panthers with the top offense, with Vederian Lowe at left tackle and Chuks Okorafor at right tackle. Jerod Mayo had named the second preseason game as the time when the Patriots wanted to finalize their offensive line. With five days to go, it’s looking more and more like the Patriots will start the season with this group.

On Sunday there was a change further down the rankings. Liam Fornadelwho was signed by the UFL as a tackle and played guard during most of this camp, made some appearances as a center in team drills toward the end of training.

Judon jumps out

Matthew Judon was limited for most of Patriots training camp last week, but returned to team practice on Sunday. His presence was immediately felt as he Jacoby Brissett on one of the first plays of practice at the line of scrimmage. He also saw some pass rush pressure.

As long as Judon’s contract situation remains unresolved, it will be a topic of conversation within the team. However, on Sunday he showed that he can still perform in live situations.

WATCH: Video recap of Day 12 of Patriots training camp

Bolden in the slot

In our squad projection after Thursday’s game, we highlighted how Shaun Wade Path into the squad is based mainly on his experience in the slot compared to the other Patriots cornerbacks, and that the best path for a player like Isaiah Bolden or Marcellas dial To secure a spot on the roster, they would have to show that they can handle the slot reps.

Right on time, Bolden got a lot of time in the slot on Sunday. He was the most used player at the position and did well. This is just one practice, but it was a very encouraging day for the sophomore cornerback from Jackson State.

UDFA gets more playing time

UDFA Security Dell Pettus closed last week’s practice block strong and then was one of the better players in the Patriots’ season opener, as he was on the field for most of the second half. Obviously, the coaches liked what they saw from Pettus, as his role seemed to grow during Sunday’s practice. Pettus was integrated more into the rotation of top defensive backs, playing both deep safety and in the box. He nearly intercepted a pass on a deflected pass from Drake Maye, but the referees on hand ruled the ball hit the ground first.

Individual interviews

The Patriots played a one-on-one period on Sunday, with wide receivers facing cornerbacks and running backs and tight ends facing linebackers and safeties. Here are some of the standout winners…

Jalen Reagor on Christian Gonzalez
AJ Thomas on Jacob Warren
Kayshon Boutte on Alex Austin
Rhamondre Stevenson on Raekwon McMillan
Ja’Whaun Bentley via Antonio Gibson (intercepted)
JaQuae Jackson on Mikey Victor
Mitchell Wilcox on Jaylinn Hawkins
Marco Wilson on Ja’Lynn Polk
Tyquan Thornton on Marcella’s Dial
Jalen Reagor on Azizi Hearn
Shaun Wade on Kayshon Boutte
Ja’Lynn Polk on Christian Gonzalez

Pressure on the kickers

On Friday, Jerod Mayo described the competition for the Patriots’ best kicker as “wide open.” At practice on Sunday, the coaching staff upped the ante on both kickers.

During Patriots training camp, most days ended with each kicker attempting four field goals from various distances. They did that again today, but the atmosphere was not what it used to be. The music was turned up louder than it had been all summer, and the players encouraged the crowd to make as much noise as possible. Then all the players, except for the 22 involved in the game, gathered in a semicircle around the kicker and the holder, yelling and waving their arms and jumping up and down in full view as they attempted their kicks.

Each kicker completed four kicks in the period from 37, 43, 48 and 52 yards. Slye made 3 of 4 throws and missed the ball just to the left from 48 yards. Ryland made 2 of 4 throws and missed the ball just to the right from 48 and 52 yards.

In addition to those four kicks, Slye also attempted and completed a 53-yard throw at the end of Drake Mayes’ timed drive earlier in practice. For the summer, Chad Ryland is now 28-of-33 (with his 48-yard miss being his first miss inside the 40-yard range this camp), while Slye is 27-of-33 (and a perfect 3-of-3 from 50-plus yards).

Waiting times

Sunday was another good day for the punter Bryce Baringerwho regularly brought down punts inside the 10-yard line. Here are his hang times…

4.51 seconds
4.52
4.51
4.33
3.97
4.46
4.23
4.52
4.39

referee

Another sign that we are closer to the real game is that the Patriots had a team of referees available for practice on Sunday. That will likely continue throughout the week, leading up to joint practice on Tuesday. The team, led by veteran crew chief Michael B.was absolutely necessary on Sunday due to several close plays in the team exercises.

participation

The biggest personnel news on Sunday concerns Tight End Hunter Henry. Henry limped off the field after a repetition in team drills at the start of practice, went back to the training area behind the practice fields where he was worked on, and did not return to practice. His situation will be monitored in the coming days.

As for the total absences, UDFA defensive lineman John Morgan was the only new absentee after Thursday’s game. Defensive Backs Marcus Jones And Marte Mapuand defensive lineman Christian Barmore stay outside.

What happens next?

The Patriots’ training camp will continue on Monday. It will be a day of preparation for joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday.

Alex Barth is a digital content producer and host at 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. Today, he covers all things Boston sports for 985TheSportsHub.com and also makes live on-air appearances. Alex writes about all New England sports as well as college football. You can follow him on all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.