Pats Pulpit
It was a big day down at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday: the New England Patriots welcomed the Washington Commanders to town for a joint practice before their preseason game on Friday night. The session versus the 2024 NFC finalist provided a strong test for head coach Mike Vrabel’s club this summer.
Here is what went down throughout the day.
Attire: Full pads
Duration: ca. 120 minutes (10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. ET)
Conditions: Cloudy, temperatures in the mid 70s
To no surprise, the joint practice between the Patriots and Commanders featured full pads and ran just about two hours long. The focus was on full-team and situational work, while the trenches also got plenty of 1-on-1 action.
Absent: ED K’Lavon Chaisson, OL Sidy Sow, OL Caedan Wallace
Non-participant: CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Carlton Davis III, OT Morgan Moses, LB Jahlani Tavai
No major surprises when it comes to New England’s attendance on Wednesday. The biggest change to begin practice was Stefon Diggs not being in attendance, but the veteran wide receiver joined the team halfway through the session and participated in full team work.
When it comes to Morgan Moses, who has been in and out of practices throughout the spring and summer, Mike Vrabel noted his usage would be a combination of the veteran tackle easing back into action and still dealing with a new injury he picked up along the way.
“Probably a combination of both,” Vrabel said. “Just want to be smart and make sure that everybody’s plan is the best one for them to be prepared for the season. So, Morgan will do a little bit today, won’t do much, and then we’ll see where he is at the next opportunity, which would be Friday.”
Maye looks sharp: Drake Maye’s first pass of the day was a completion to DeMario Douglas screeching across the middle of the field. That became a common occurrence as the second-year quarterback connected with his speedy slot receiver on two more crossers shortly thereafter. The only thing that could stop the connection was a drop after a Maye pass went off the open Douglas’ hands along the left sideline.
Outside of his connection with Douglas, Maye was sharp early and often throughout full-team work — at times even working off platform inside and outside the pocket. He had a seam completion to Hunter Henry on a staple Josh McDaniels concept, looked off a defender before hitting tight end Austin Hooper, and ended the middle-of-the-field-period with a pretty hole shot to Mack Hollins along the right sideline.
Moving into the red area, Kayshon Boutte hauled in a back-shoulder throw in the end zone from Maye before the QB lofted a pretty wheel route to TreVeyon Henderson in the back right corner — which the rookie back could not haul in. Maye then connected with Henry and Hollins for additional scores. His strong day, however, ended on a sour note, as his final pass to finish off a 45-second...
