NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS NEWS

DeMario Douglas - Logs 7-on-7 snaps Douglas, who has been dealing with a hand issue, participated in 7-on-7 drills Tuesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Impact Douglas sported a red (non-contact) jersey Tuesday, but the wideout's participation in 7-on-7 drills solidifies the notion that his hand issue wasn't a major concern. As the coming season approaches, Douglas has an opportunity to claim a key role in a crowded New England receiving corps that parted ways with DeVante Parker this offseason while adding 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker, as well veteran free agent K.J. Osborn.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Jerod Mayo and Bill Belichick haven't communicated much since Mayo took over as Patriots HC

Jerod Mayo and former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick have not communicated much since Mayo took the helm in New England.

JULY 30

Patriots defensive line knows it will take group effort without Christian Barmore

The New England Patriots defensive line knows it will take a group effort as they try to replace Christian Barmore while he is out indefinitely because of blood clots

JULY 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Matthew Judon - Doesn't practice Monday Judon was present but not participating at Monday's full-pads practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 31-year-old edge rusher is in search of a new contract, as he's set to make just $6.5 million in 2024. Judon missed the Patriots' final 13 games last season due to a torn biceps, but the Grand Valley State product logged 28.0 total sacks from 2021-2022. He's still one of the best pass rushers in the entire NFL, and the Patriots are at risk of Judon continuing to "hold-in" if the two parties cannot agree on a contract extension soon.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Patriots QB Drake Maye's start to camp matches Bill Belichick's evaluation

Watching Drake Maye early in camp, it seems Bill Belichick nailed his draft night assessment. Now it’s all about how much Maye can progress.

JULY 29

Terrell Jennings - Passes physical Sunday Jennings (undisclosed) passed his physical Sunday and is eligible to return from the active/PUP list.

Impact Jennings opened training camp on the sidelines with an undisclosed injury, but appears to be all set to return to the practice field now. The running back has an uphill battle to crack the Patriots' active roster in 2024, so he'll look to make up for the lost time in the coming days.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore diagnosed with blood clots

The New England Patriots announced Sunday that defensive tackle Christian Barmore has been diagnosed with blood clots, and there is no timet...

JULY 29

Christian Barmore - Diagnosed with blood clots In a statement released by the Patriots on Sunday, Barmore was treated by doctors over the weekend after being diagnosed with blood clots and there is no timetable for his return.

Impact It's a major blow for Barmore, who signed a four-year, $92 million contract extension with the Patriots in April after recording a career-high 8.5 sacks across 17 regular-season games in 2023. The good news for the 2021 second-round pick is that the blood clots were caught by doctors before they caused a serious accident on the field, but his status for the 2024 season is truly up in the air. If Barmore were to miss extended time, Armon Watts and Deatrich Wise could be candidates to start on New England's defensive front alongside Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Matthew Judon and Josh Uche.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Tyquan Thornton - Puts on muscle in offseason Thornton now weighs 192 pounds, up from his listed weight of 185 lbs., Evan Lazar of patriots.com reports.

Impact The 2022 second-round pick is still quite thin for a wide receiver, but it's an improvement from the 2022 Combine when he checked in at 6-foot-2, 181 pounds. The 4.28 speed he showcased at said combine hasn't gotten him far in the NFL, with Thornton now on the roster bubble after catching 35 passes in 22 games over his first two NFL seasons. He may end up competing for one spot with Jalen Reagor, a fellow speedster (and draft bust) who offers more potential to contribute on special teams.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Josiah Bronson - Catches on with New England The Patriots signed Bronson to a contract Sunday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Bronson has played in eight regular-season games across his three NFL seasons, with the Dolphins in 2022 being his last team. His most productive season came in 2021 with the Saints, when he recorded 11 tackles (seven solo) across six-regular season games. He'll compete for a depth spot on the Patriots' defensive line at training camp.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Jabrill Peppers - Inks extension with Pats New England signed Peppers to a three-year, $24 million contract Friday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Impact Peppers was arguably the Patriots' steadiest presence on either side of the ball during the 2023 season, and he's now being rewarded with a solid pay day. He figures to again play a near-every down role next to Kyle Dugger this year.

JULY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Drake Maye has at times looked like the quarterback answer the Patriots have been seeking

Drake Maye has at times looked like the answer to the quarterback conundrum the New England Patriots have been seeking since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020

JULY 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Patriots sign safety Jabrill Peppers to a contract extension, head coach Jerod Mayo says

The New England Patriots signed safety Jabrill Peppers to a contract extension, head coach Jerod Mayo said before Friday’s practice

JULY 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

DeMario Douglas - Labeled day-to-day Coach Jerod Mayo said Friday that Douglas (hand) is "day-to-day" and only dealing with a minor injury, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Douglas' hand injury has limited him from yet taking part in team drills at training camp, but it doesn't appear that he's dealing with anything long-term. The second-year pro reportedly impressed at spring practices, and once back on the field at training camp he'll work to continue building some positive momentum. There are opportunities up for grabs in New England's crowded wide receiver room, and Douglas was one of the offense's lone bright spots as a rookie, but he faces competition from 2024 second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker, as well as free-agency arrival K.J. Osborn.

JULY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Dak Prescott and 8 other NFL stars handling contract disputes very differently

From holdouts to hold-ins to just holding on, these nine NFL stars, including three Cowboys, are taking different tacks to get new deals.

JULY 26

DeMario Douglas - Slowed by hand issue Douglas has been limited by a hand injury for the last few days, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Impact Douglas drew strong reviews for his play during spring practice, potentially helping him separate himself in a crowded New England wide receiver room. That continued momentum from a solid rookie season, during which he posted 49 receptions for 561 yards in one of the worst offenses in the league, so he should have an advantage over newcomers such as K.J. Osborn and Javon Baker. Nevertheless, it will be important for him to get back on the field quickly to secure a role heading into the regular season.

JULY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Antonio Gibson - Back at practice Gibson (undisclosed) returned to practice Thursday, Paul Perillo of the Patriots' official site reports.

Impact Coach Jerod Mayo indicated Wednesday that Gibson wasn't expected to be out long-term, and indeed the running back's stint on the active/non-football injury list was abbreviated. Now that he's back at practice, Gibson is poised to work in a key complementary role in the Patriots' backfield alongside incumbent starter Rhamondre Stevenson. In that capacity, Gibson should have an opportunity maintain a degree of fantasy value, considering that the team could lean on the ground game early on this season, with a new QB (either Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye) in line to get the Week 1 starting nod.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

JuJu Smith-Schuster - Working ahead of youngsters Smith-Schuster and K.J. Osborn were the first wide receivers through drills Thursday, Henry McKenna of FOX Sports reports.

Impact The new coaching staff in New England unsurprisingly seems to be deferring to the most experienced players at the start of training camp, but fantasy drafters figure to remain more interested in rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker as well as second-year pro DeMario Douglas. Competition for WR roles should be wide open, perhaps giving Smith-Schuster a chance to revive his career if he isn't totally washed up from a physical standpoint. Reports from spring practices weren't especially promising in that regard, even though Smith-Schuster is only 27 years old.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

K.J. Osborn - First through drills at camp Osborn and JuJu Smith-Schuster were the first wide receivers through drills Thursday, Henry McKenna of FOX Sports reports.

Impact This is unlikely to change anyone's mind about rookie second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and second-year pro DeMario Douglas being the New England wideouts generating the most fantasy attention. Osborn has a chance at a top-three role and quite a bit of playing time, but his output as the No. 3 receiver in Minnesota the past three seasons suggests he's highly unlikely to be targeted at a high rate even if he's on the field a lot. He signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Patriots in March, setting him up to compete with Polk, Douglas, Smith-Schuster, rookie fourth-round pick Javon Baker and (eventually) Kendrick Bourne (ACL tear).

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon dissatisfied with current contract

Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon confirmed Wednesday that he plans to participate in training camp, though he continued to express his dissatisfaction with his current contract

JULY 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Antonio Gibson - Shouldn't be out long Coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday that Gibson (undisclosed) should return to practice "relatively soon," Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Gibson is on the non-football injury/illness list for the start of training camp, after seemingly being a full participant in the offseason program. He'll presumably be the No. 2 running back once he's ready to practice, having signed with the Patriots in March on three-year, $11.25 million contract that includes $5.3 million guaranteed. It's good money by backup RB standards, and while Gibson figures to initially get most of his playing time on pass snaps, his combination of size (6-foot, 228 pounds) and lead-back experience (258 carries in 2021) means there's potential for large workloads if starter Rhamondre Stevenson misses games.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Giants tried to acquire Patriots' No. 3 pick to select a QB in 2024 draft

The latest episode of "Hard Knocks" spotlights the Giants' attempt to move up in the 2024 NFL draft, which would have allowed them to select...

JULY 24

Kyle Shanahan confirms Bill Belichick turned down offer to join 49ers coaching staff

Ex-Patriots coach Bill Belichick was offered a position with the 49ers but politely turned it down, Kyle Shanahan confirmed recently.

JULY 24

Cole Strange - Lands on PUP list The Patriots placed Strange (knee) on the active/PUP list Tuesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

Impact Strange is not expected to be ready for the start of the season, as he is still dealing with a knee injury suffered during Week 15 of last season. The Patriots will have until cut-down day to activate the 2022 first-round pick off the PUP list, or he will be forced to sit out at least four games.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Jake Andrews - Put on PUP list Andrews (undisclosed) was placed on New England's active/PUP list Tuesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

Impact The Patriots are now shorthanded on the interior of their offensive line for the start of training camp, as both Andrews and Cole Strange (knee) are now on the PUP list. Once healthy, the rookie fourth-round pick will have an opportunity to compete for the starting center job.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE