New England is taking a cautious approach with its top running back." NFL training campPatriots AnalysisPatriots Training Camp CoverageSony Michel’s PUP designation puts Patriots rookie Damien Harris in the spotlightNew Isaiah Wynn Jerseys Stitched ,21commentsRelated: Sony Michel among six Patriots to open training camp on the PUP listEDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Sony Michel’s PUP designation puts Patriots rookie Damien Harris in the spotlightTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesWith the first wave of New England Patriots players reporting to training camp on Sunday, we also got a look at those that are not yet deemed ready to participate in practice. The club placed seven players on health-related reserve lists, with six getting the ‘physically unable to perform’ label and one being tagged with a ‘non-football injury.’ Among the men to go to PUP also was the Patriots’ top running back from a year ago.Sony Michel underwent a knee arthroscopy earlier this offseason — he missed a combined three games last year due to two separate knee injuries — and was absent for a large portion of New England’s spring workouts. The team is obviously taking a cautious approach with the second-year man, who played a key role in its Super Bowl run last year. With Michel now out, though, the rest of the position group will be pushed into the spotlight.One player in particular will get elevated to the forefront at running back: Damien Harris. The Alabama product, who was selected by the Patriots in the third round of this year’s draft, already took the lead-back role during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He performed well, but the circumstances have obviously changed since then. After all, offseason workouts are strictly non-contact. Training camp, on the other hand, features live tackling and is as close to ‘normal’ football as you can get in the offseason.For Harris and his development, the time until Michel’s return to full action will therefore be big. Not only will he get his first taste of NFL physicality, he also will have a lot on his plate and needs to show the coaches that he can be trusted as the number one early-down back if need be — something he proved in college but will have to show on a consistent basis in the pros as well. That is, after all, why the Patriots invested the 87th overall draft pick in him.So what’s in store for the 22-year-old with training camp only two days away? Until Michel comes back off the PUP list, Harris will be the number one running back yet again and as such see considerable practice reps with the first-team offense. He will be featured extensively in different situations — from the red zone to early-down runs to short-yardage situations — and also be tested as a pass protector.The experience Harris will gain along the way could prove beneficial further down the line: even with the lead back’s return on the horizon, he is expected to play a considerable role within New England’s offensive attack. Over the next few days (or maybe more, depending on the starter’s status), Harris and the Patriots will therefore have a prime opportunity to keep building on the rookie’s foundation for the 2019 season. Tomorrow, the New England Patriots finally open their training camp." NFL training campPatriots Training Camp CoverageThe Pats Pulpit guide to the Patriots’ 2019 training camp: schedule, position battles, practical information, and moreNew Youth Duke Dawson Jerseys ,6commentsTomorrow, the New England Patriots finally open their training camp.EDTAlmost six months after beating the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53, the New England Patriots will take the next step on their quest to become the first team to defend the Vince Lombardi Trophy since they themself did it in fifteen years ago: tomorrow, the world champions will kick off their 2019 training camp. As has been the case every year since 2003, the Patriots hold camp at the practice facilities at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium.To get you ready for the next weeks, we have compiled all the necessary information about training camp here.Key Facts2019 New England Patriots training camp at Gillette StadiumPatriot PlaceFoxboro, MA 02035Key DatesReporting and medical examinationRookies, quarterbacks, veterans returning from injuries: Sunday, July 21Veterans: Wednesday, July 24Practice sessionsAs usual, admission to the practice sessions is free. Further dates are still to be determined and have not yet been officially announced.Gates will generally open around one hour before each session (i.e. 8:00 a.m. for morning practices) and close one hour after. However, please note that the schedule is subject to change if necessary. For instance, if a session has to be relocated to the adjacent Empower Field House indoor facility (because of inclement weather), it can no longer be open to the public.In case you plan to visit training camp, you therefore need to stay up to date. For updates please call 508-549-0001 or visit patriots.com/trainingcamp.Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremonyAs opposed to last year, the induction ceremony will once again take place during training camp: on Monday, July 29, three-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison and late offensive tackle Leon Gray will be inducted into the Hall. The event will be held outside of The Hall at Patriot Place and open and free to the public. Festivities will start at 4:30 p.m; at 7:00 p.m. season ticket holders will be able to watch the annual in-stadium practice.Preseason gamesAugust 8: at Detroit Lions (Ford Field, 7:30 p.m. ET)August 17: at Tennessee Titans (Nissan Stadium, 7:00 p.m. ET)August 22: vs. Carolina Panthers (Gillette Stadium, 7:30 p.m. ET)August 29: vs. New York Giants (Gillette Stadium, 7:30 p.m. ET)New England will hold joint practice sessions with both the Detroit Lions and the Tennessee Titans during the weeks leading up to the respective games.Further important datesAugust 31: Roster cut-down to 53 (by 4:00 p.m. ET), non-activated PUP/NFI players move to reserve/PUP/NFISeptember 1: Eligible players can be signed to the practice squad (max. 10 players per team; Patriots have an extra spot through the NFL’s International Pathway Program for fullback Jakob Johnson)September 5: Rule of 51 ends (12:00 a.m. ET) Duke Dawson Jerseys Stitched , all players on the active roster count against the salary cap (set at $188.2 million for the 2019 season)September 8: Patriots’ season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers (Gillette Stadium, 8:20 p.m. ET)Parking and DirectionsParkingParking at the stadium facilities’ parking lots is free for all public practice sessions. If you arrive from the north (e.g. Boston), use parking lot entrance P6. If you arrive from the south (e.g. Providence), use parking lot entrance P8. ADA parking lots can be found in Lot 22. For more information on parking view this map.DirectionsPrior to the 2015 training camp, the Boston Globe’s Shalise Manza Young and Ben Volin wrote down directions to Gillette Stadium. Since they did a tremendous job and none of the locations have changed, we will just quote them here:ServicesAutographsAfter each practice session open to the public, a select group of players will be available for autographs (usually around 11:45 a.m.).ConcessionsThe main concession stand will be positioned behind the bleachers while various food trucks will also visit the facility. Bringing your own food and/or beverages to camp is permitted.Fan activitiesParticipants of physical and interactive activities will have to fill out a waiver form beforehand. It can be downloaded here.Visitors with disabilitiesAs noted above, ADA parking lots can be found in Lot 22 (once more, the map); there are signs leading there. Seating at the facility will be available in all the bleacher sections, located on the western end of the practice fields. For more information, call 508-384-9191.Prohibited itemsThe following is a list of things you better leave in your car if you want to watch the Patriots practice: all animals except service animals assisting those with disabilities (don’t leave them in your car, though, but at home), alcoholic beverages, beach balls, bullhorns and air horns, coolers, fireworks or pyrotechnics, flag poles and tripods longer than 2 feet (shorter ones will be allowed), helium balloons, illegal drugs or any other illegal substance, laser pens, noise makers, video cameras Womens N'Keal Harry Jersey , weapons of any kind (including knives), unmanned aircraft systems, remotely controlled model aircraft, drones, selfie sticks. Additionally, any other items deemed inappropriate by stadium management (e.g. New York Jets jerseys) are prohibited.Jersey NumbersAs usual, the players will not wear names on their jerseys during training camp — only numbers. Therefore, in order to know who made a play, you need to know each player’s number (or at least have them printed out with you). To find the current roster as well as the up-to-date jersey numbers take a look at patriots.com/team/roster.One distinction can easily be made, though: the Patriots’ offense will once again wear white jerseys, while the defense will wear blue ones. Quarterbacks and players not to be touched will wear red jerseys.InjuriesThe Patriots have placed the following six players on the active/physically unable to perform list (PUP) prior to the start of training camp:Additionally, two players will open camp on the active/non-football injury list (NFI):All eight players can be activated off the respective injury lists at any time moving forward. If such a move does not happen by August 31’s roster cutdowns, though, the players still remaining on the the active/PUP/NFI lists will transfer to reserve/PUP/NFI: they will not count against the 53-man roster but will have to sit out at least the first six weeks of the regular season.Main position battlesNo Rob Gronkowski, no clear plan at tight end — at least that is what the Patriots’ current situation looks like. After all, none of the six players at the position is guaranteed a roster spot at this point in time. Matt LaCosse and Benjamin Watson should be considered the favorites, but the latter will miss the first four regular season games with a suspension. Will one of the other tight ends take advantage and carve out a role on the roster at least until Watson’s return? And how many tight ends will be kept in the first place? And is LaCosse as safe a bet as it looks like? Plenty of questions will get answered at tight end this summer.With Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson leaving New England in free agency, and with Josh Gordon still indefinitely suspended, the Patriots will need to look for a new player to fill the X-receiver role. First-round rookie N’Keal Harry is a lock to earn one spot on the team, but his eventual role still needs to be decided over the next few weeks. The other players listed above, meanwhile, will fight not just for specific roles but their roster lives. Whoever builds the best chemistry with Tom Brady and is capable to succeed in the other deciding factors — from hands to physicality to run blocking — will win a job.Patriots training camp battles to watchPhoto by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesX-wide receiverSwing offensive tackleDefensive edgePunterSlot cornerbackRotational defensive tackleSlot wide receiverDepth linebackerKickoff returnerThe Patriots’ offensive tackle position underwent some major changes over the course of the offseason, with two of the top three options from 2018 leaving via free agency: Trent Brown joined the Oakland Raiders on a record-breaking deal; LaAdrian Waddle moved to the Buffalo Bills. And while Brown’s role will be filled by former first-round draft pick Isaiah Wynn, the one previously held by Waddle is up for grabs. As things stand right now N'Keal Harry Jersey Patriots , New England has five players competing for that backup/swing tackle spot. Cajuste would be the favorite, but as noted above he will start camp on the NFI list.New England will field a new-look edge defender group this season. And with only three of its current nine players classified as roster locks — Michael Bennett, Deatrich Wise Jr, Chase Winovich — there will be plenty of competition for the rotational spots alongside them. John Simon, as mentioned above, is the favorite to earn the fourth spot alongside the top three and offer veteran rotational depth just like he did last season. Beyond Simon, Derek Rivers should still be seen as the guy to beat out. Jake Bailey joined the Patriots as a fifth-round draft pick this year and will go against incumbent Ryan Allen — a three-time world champion that held the job since 2013 — this summer. Bailey offers more upside but needs to become a more consistent performer to win the job. If he can do that, it would not be a surprise to see the Patriots pick him over Allen. If not, however, New England could very well go back to the trusty veteran.While the first four of the cornerbacks listed above can be seen as roster locks, their exact roles on the team will be determined over the next few weeks. Furthermore, the three depth options behind them will all fight for what is projected to be the final spot on the team or either one of the practice squad positions. Needless to say that there will be plenty of intrigue on one of the deepest position groups in all of football.MiscellaneousTom Brady’s birthdayNext Saturday, on August 3, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will turn 42. Be prepared to do a lot of birthday-related singing on that day.Patriots Hall of FameIf you are looking for things to do at Gillette Stadium, the Hall at Patriots Place will be open each day:Pats Pulpit coverageSocial mediaThroughout training camp, Pats Pulpit will deliver updates and analysis. Besides regularly checking the website, please make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.PodcastsThe Pats Pulpit podcasts will have extensive training camp breakdowns once the action gets underway. Subscribe here to stay up to date:FanPulseLast year, SB Nation introduced FanPulse, a survey of knowledgable fans that will reflect how they view their teams’ developments. If you are interested in participating, please click here!
