FOXBOROUGH — Takeaways from the Patriots’ training camp practice Tuesday, a two-hour session that was the final workout before Thursday’s preseason opener against Carolina: 1. A sloppy day in the rain. After four straight practices in near-100-degree heat, the Patriots got a break with the weather, with temperatures in the upper 60s and rain falling steadily.
It was a good opportunity to practice in wet weather, and as veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise noted, “When days like this happen, we’re so full of energy, so full of stamina that these seem like light days.” What they weren’t was especially sharp. The Patriots had done a good job of cutting down on mistakes the last few practices, but they struggled to stay composed in the rain.
Advertisement There were fumbles early by Jacoby Brissett and Kevin Harris. Bailey Zappe got the ball knocked out of his hand by Trysten Hill. Brissett hit running back JaMycal Hasty in the backside with a pass.
And Drake Maye was ugly in an 11-on-11 drill, going 0 for 4 passing with a tipped interception and a fumbled snap exchange that sent backup center Atonio Mafi to the bench. On the one hand, this is what practice is for — making mistakes, learning to play through different weather, and so on. On the other hand, it wasn’t the best way to close the opening stretch of camp.
2. Two unheralded receivers are thriving. We’ve seen plenty of Patriots receivers thrive on the practice fields but struggle once the lights come on for real.
That said, two unheralded receivers are impressing. Kayshon Boutte, who had just two catches in his rookie season, is consistently making plays during his second camp. Boutte had a terrific touchdown Tuesday on a corner fade from Maye, ripping the ball away from the cornerback.
He also made a big play down the middle of the field on a play-action pass from Zappe, and had an impressive 40-yard catch down the left sideline in tight coverage, but was probably out of bounds. One receiver whose name I have been shocked to write so often in my notebook is Jalen Reagor, a 2020 first-round pick by the Eagles who had just 15 catches the last two years combined with the Vikings and Patriots. Advertisement Reagor will likely make the team as a return specialist, but perhaps he can contribute at receiver.
He had a beautiful diving touchdown catch on a corner fade from Brissett and caught three straight passes, including a touchdown from Maye, in one 11-on-11 drill. 3. The Matthew Judon situation is definitely not resolved .
Coach Jerod Mayo is doing his best to downplay the drama with Judon, calling Monday a “hiccup” and saying, “I feel like we’re on the same page.” But it doesn’t feel that way from Judon’s side. While Judon has been back in the fold for the last five practices after getting kicked out last Monday and being kept home last Tuesday, he’s clearly not happy that his contract situation hasn’t changed.
He told reporters again Monday that his contract doesn’t reflect his value, and he’s just out at practice so he doesn’t get fined. Judon didn’t participate in the second half of practice Tuesday and didn’t have his helmet with him. I wouldn’t expect him to play much Thursday night.
The situation is getting awkward. Judon stood on the sidelines not 20 yards away from football boss Eliot Wolf, and later stood near Robert Kraft. It doesn’t appear any conversations were had.
And the longer the situation lingers, the greater the chances Judon will boil over again. Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.
com ..
