New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots received some good news on Tuesday.
(No, not about Christian Gonzalez.)
Austin Hooper returned to the practice fields for the first time during training camp, indicating he’s been activated off the physically unable to perform list. New England shelved him with an undisclosed injury on July 19.
Hooper, 30, was surprisingly wonderful during his first season with the organization, finishing with 45 receptions for 476 yards and three touchdowns — his best marks since making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2018 and 2019. The Patriots will likely need him to continue being reliable considering what the depth looks like at his position.
Hunter Henry is an above-average starter. Hooper is an above-average backup. CJ Dippre, Jaheim Bell, Gee Scott and Jack Westover, however, will be fighting for those depth spots, and while we like a couple of those names, you can’t expect very much out of them.
New England will hold a scrimmage inside Gillette Stadium on Friday, which will give us a decent look at the depth chart.
