Attendance
Absent/Did Not Participate: WR Kendrick Bourne, CB Christian Gonzalez, S Josh Minkins, ED Elijah Ponder, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Jahlani Tavai
Additions: RB Demeric Brown
Injuries: OT Marcus Bryant, CB D.J. James
Tweet of the Day
Drake Maye goes deep to Stefon Diggs.
–@CLNSMedia #Patriots #NFL pic.twitter.com/qqYqqOn1Wn
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) August 10, 2025
Mike Vrabel’s Top Quotes of Note
On if he knows any players that won’t make the team and could be cut early: “Oh, I think we’re so far away from that. Me personally, I’m focused on just having another great day and continuing everything that we did on Friday. And as you can see, everybody that was healthy played in the game and gave those guys opportunities. Whether it was John Jiles or [Jeremiah Webb] Webby, the offensive linemen, some of those guys that we talked about that didn’t get to play or practice against Washington, really did themselves well when they were given the opportunity. And so, I want to continue to reward those players that treat the team well and treat them the same way they treat the team. So, as long as they’re here working and getting better, we’re going to practice them and eventually get them action in the game.”
On what stood out after watching tape of the Commanders game: “I thought we played – to continue to build the identity of playing with great effort and trying to take care of the guy with the ball. We have to tackle better, and that happens sometimes in the first live action. A lot of good stuff to teach off of there. Continue to talk about the ball security, whether it came out or not, the opportunities where we feel like the ball is in jeopardy. I thought we ran it well. I thought we took – I thought we played a clean game. I thought we took advantage of the field position, won that battle and saw the kickoff returns and how explosive that play can be. We’re going to have to cover those same kicks this year. So, did a lot of really good things, and then we just have to continue to improve the things that we talked about with the missed tackles or getting into a rhythm with the passing game and kind of just continue to progress.”
On Elijah Ponder’s performance in training camp and special teams contributions: “Elijah continues to improve, and I think that the ability to play on special teams as an outside linebacker who probably in college they don’t get a whole lot of work at is something that you’re always trying to build and develop because it is new for some of these guys. On that particular play, it’s at the point of attack and it’s a big block, and there’s going to be a lot of these that are close. And when I say close, I mean close to a penalty and close to a touchdown. And we have to coach the heck out of it. We have to make great decisions, split-second decisions when you’re at the point of attack because when they start to see that, we just have to stay square and the backs have to help us by setting some of these things up, because the alternative is now you’re starting inside the 20-yard line and defeating the whole purpose of taking advantage of the field position. So, there was a lot of good blocks there. We’ll have to see where the trends start to go on the penalties, and the more kickoffs, there’s going to be more penalties, you can imagine, and see what the League wants to do there.”
On Marcus Bryant’s performance this summer and his start against the Commanders: “I think he earned it. I think that when they switched over and he had some snaps on the left at the beginning of the training camp, I think moving him over to the right, I thought he did well, especially in the joint practices, earned that opportunity and continues to improve. He’ll have to play both sides for us, and I think he’s just a young player that is taking the coaching and was one of the players I remember when we first put pads on had really high pad level. We talked about it, we coached it, we showed him, and I think that has improved. I mean, he’s 6’6”, so first day, I guess we’ll cut him some slack, and it’s improved. That’s all we ask of the players, is that each day they continue to improve and focus on improving. So, I kind of liked Marcus. He’s kind of a happy, lucky-go kid, and I think there’s a lot of good football in front of him.”
On teaching Drake Maye how to balance extending plays and living to fight another down: “Yeah, we have to be able to protect ourselves as the quarterback of the football team. At the yard markers, at the sideline, near the line to gain and especially the goal line. I think the biggest thing is just don’t assume. Try to use the rules to your advantage, and being able to slide, whether you go feet first or whether you go head first, you’re still protected. And again, we want him to be aggressive, but just not reckless and put the ball or himself in harm’s way.”
Defense Dominates in the Red Zone
During his pre-practice presser, Mike Vrabel called out his defense for not getting a Red Zone stop against the Commanders (Washington actually went 2-3). The unit responded with a competitive practice that focused on execution in scoring territory.
Christian Elliss broke up two Drake Maye passes during 7-on-7s, including a near-interception on what felt like a forced a throw to DeMario Douglas. Elliss did push ups off to the side as penance for the missed opportunity.
Craig Woodson also came close to a diving interception of Maye in team drills, where he continued to rep with the top defense, but confirmed after practice that the ball hit the ground.
Marcus Jones and Alex Austin showed up positively throughout practice. Jones blew up a screen to Douglas, deflected a pass to Mack Hollins, and appeared to push Hollins out of bounds before he could score near the goal line. Jones also showed his closing speed to assist Miles Battle on an incomplete pass to Hollins. Austin had breakups against Hollins and Efton Chism, as well as a tackle against the latter to prevent a touchdown.
Carlton Davis impressed in his return after not participating in full speed sessions the past two weeks. He broke up a Kayshon Boutte target in the back of the end zone and smothered a Hollins fade target that sailed high.
Rookies Kobee Minor and Jordan Polk also got their hands on passes. Minor made a late breakup on a slot fade to Kyle Williams, while Polk denied a slot fade to Chism.
The Patriots’ cornerback room has been thoroughly tested this summer, but the group has impressed with their competitiveness.
Notebook
Drake Maye had one of his shakiest practices of the summer. This was surprising given his typically on-point decision-making in the Red Zone. Maye was almost intercepted twice, throwing into at least one bad look, and might’ve forced a fade into a crowded area late. There were also a couple of high throws where it was hard to tell whether Maye missed or was trying to throw the ball away, and he wasn’t on the same page as Kyle Williams on a fade. There were highlights, like a tight-window slant throw to TreVeyon Henderson and middle-field completions to Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins. It’s also important to remember that practice is the place to make mistakes. That said, it was a notable given how rarely Maye has put the ball in harm’s way this summer.
Hollins had another up-and-down practice while working with Maye and Joshua Dobbs. He caught three touchdowns, highlighted by a late-progression score in the back of the end zone from Maye, but also had a drop and missed a few opportunities with Marcus Jones in coverage.
Stefon Diggs beat D.J. James on a corner and caught a dot from Maye, but dropped an easy touchdown during a two-minute drill to end practice. The veteran’s certainly had his moments, but he hasn’t been as automatic at the catch-point this summer as I anticipated. James left practice shortly after his rep against Diggs and did not return.
Kayshon Boutte made an impressive adjustment to go up for a dig thrown slightly high and behind with Alex Austin trailing. He also beat Jones on a whip and smoked Miles Battle on an out for short scores.
Efton Chism continues to make a strong case for the roster. It wasn’t a perfect day, but the backup offenses top target scored multiple times. Chism made the catch of the day after going up and boxing out Marcus Jones on corner thrown slightly behind him, dusted linebacker Monty Rice on a juke, and beat Brandon Crossley on a short out-breaker.
Caedan Wallace returned to practice and repped as the backup left guard. He had a nice pull on a play action pass simulating counter.
Javon Baker was the only offensive player working with assistant special teams coach Tom Quinn during a gunner drill. Baker, who is carving out a role for himself on special teams, recorded a tackle at gunner and on kickoff against the Commanders.
Kyle Dugger worked with the backups behind Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Craig Woodson. It’s been mostly bust and not much boom for the veteran as he adjusts to a new defensive scheme.
Garrett Bradbury had a low shotgun snap that Maye had to fall on, ending a play before it began.
Parker Romo went 4-4 on field goals today, just sneaking his final attempt inside the uprights. Andy Borregales went 3-4 after missing wide left on his final kick.
Mike Vrabel told reporters we “might” see Christian Gonzalez in Minnesota, but “probably not in uniform” Ja’Lynn Polk is not expected to travel after appearing to re-injure his surgically repaired shoulder against the Commanders.
Undrafted rookie Elijah Ponderappeared to injure his foot before halftime of the Commanders game, which could explain his absence.
Per Doug Kyed, Lan Larison has been placed on injured reserve after a strong debut. Former Chief and Dolphin Deneric Prince was signed as a corresponding move.
It was a good day for rookie offensive linemen in pass rush 1-on-1s. Per Evan Lazar, Will Campbell went 2-0 against Keion White, Jared Wilson went 3-0 against Jeremiah Pharms, Milton Williams, and Khyiris Tonga, and Marcus Bryant went 2-1 against K’Lavon Chaisson (one win, one loss) and Bradyn Swinson. Campbell struggled in a late team period against Chaisson, who returned after missing last week. Bryant left about halfway through practice.