Julian Edelman was back at full-pads practice without a red jersey, meaning the Pats most vital receiver is off the PUP list. This is a good sign that Edelman’s broken foot, which required additional offseason surgery, is healthy. Or at least as healthy as it’s going to get.
Tre Jackson and Clay Harbor were also back at practice as the teams gets some reinforcements before two days of practicing against the Saints this week.
Things are about to get real.
Here are the tweets that stood out from Sunday’s practice.
BB talking about players moving on from bad plays. “You can have a bad play, you can’t have a bad day.” #Patriots
— Andy Hart (@JumboHart) August 7, 2016
BB says camp has been exceptionally good in terms of not having to make roster moves. Better to keep working with same players
— Paul Perillo (@pfwpaul) August 7, 2016
So far so good on the injury front through the first week and a half. Some questions about when Dion Lewis will be ready but I’m fine bringing him along slowly. If he was healthy at the end of last season the AFC Championship would’ve been a different game. He takes a lot of contact. It’s best to ease him back into things.
Looks like Edelman, Jackson and Harbor will come off the PUP list. That leaves the Patriots with 3 on PUP – Amendola, Vollmer and Dion Lewis
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 7, 2016
Big news of the day is the return of Edelman, something that seemed like it would happen sooner than later. Hopefully he can get through camp without any setbacks. Finding some trust with Garoppolo is a huge key over the next three weeks for Edelman. Third downs are where Jimmy will need Julian.
Looks like we have another scrimmage today. Weapons aren’t too fair. Jimmy G has Edelman, Hogan, Mitchell, Gronk, Bennett.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 7, 2016
Feels like a Madden thing, and yet…
Brady orchestrates another magical game-winning drive. Blue team wins 11-10 with a 2-point conversion after TD on fourth-and-goal.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 7, 2016
Welp…
Watch: Julian Edelman running and cutting in return to Patriots practice https://t.co/lYscJL4knC
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) August 7, 2016
But if you’re taking anything away from today it’s Edelman.
Garoppolo recovers from a 1 for 6 start by completing 5 of 6 with a 5-yard TD to Bennett for a 7-3 lead.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 7, 2016
Jimmy still showed some positive signs. But playing with those guys, you kind of expect it. The four-game start of the season will be a process.
Very run-heavy today. Lots of work for Gaffney (Team Brady), Blount and White (Team Garoppolo).
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 7, 2016
Very curious how Gaffney looked. One of the real wild cards who could step into a significant role if he shows some strength and burst. He’s one to watch this Thursday night.
Best all-around OL performer in today’s #Patriots Blue/White scrimmage?
Playing LT, but could handle RT if no Vollmer
— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) August 7, 2016
Love hearing this. Waddle was one of my under-the-radar guys this offseason. Read more about here. If he can back up the left tackle spot better than Cannon, Waddle could make him expendable.
Cedric Thompson picked off a Brady pass late. Good days defensively for Collins, McClellin, Branch.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 7, 2016
Very curious to see McClellin’s usage on Thursday night. He was their second-highest-paid free agent addition and it looks like he’s down the depth chart at Edge, behind Sheard, Ninkovich and Long at least.
Derby made what was maybe the play of the day, coming down with a juggling catch down the seam with Ramon Humber all over him.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 7, 2016
Derby needs to keep showing up, but has a long climb. You wonder if there’s another H-Back/backup tight end spot. Clay Harbor still probably the favorite.