Patriots Camp Begins: Seven Players Start on Sidelines

New England Places Key Players on NFI, PUP Lists

As the New England Patriots gear up for training camp, seven players find themselves beginning on the sidelines. The team has placed several athletes on the non-football injury (NFI) and physically unable to perform (PUP) lists, impacting the early stages of preparation under new head coach Mike Vrabel.

Injury List Shake-Up

The Patriots officially moved wide receiver Jeremiah Webb, cornerback Carlton Davis, and safety Josh Minkins to the non-football injury list. In addition, tight end Austin Hooper, wide receiver Mack Hollins, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, and linebacker Jahlani Tavai have been placed on the physically unable to perform list.

These placements mean the players remain on the active roster and can return to practice at any time during the preseason. A move to the reserve lists, which would incur a mandatory four-game regular-season absence, would typically occur as teams finalize their rosters from 90 to 53 players.

Player Spotlights

Jeremiah Webb, a 23-year-old rookie, joined the Patriots in May after an undrafted free agency signing. He showcased his talent at South Dakota and South Alabama, concluding his college career with 36 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns in his final season.

Cornerback Carlton Davis, 28, signed a significant three-year, $54 million deal in March. A seasoned veteran with 89 games and 88 starts, Davis previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions, earning a Super Bowl LV ring. He has accumulated 380 tackles and 11 interceptions in his career.

Rookie safety Josh Minkins, 22, was an undrafted signee with the Patriots. He spent his college career between Louisville and Cincinnati, appearing in 49 games and recording 132 tackles and four interceptions.

Austin Hooper, 30, returns for a one-year pact after playing in all 17 games last season. The two-time Pro Bowler, originally drafted in 2016, had previous stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders.

Veteran receiver Mack Hollins, 31, agreed to a two-year contract. He started 13 games for the Patriots last season and has played in 112 NFL games, amassing 2,069 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Hollins is also a Super Bowl LII winner with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, 26, arrived from the Minnesota Vikings before the 2023 cutdown and is recovering from shoulder surgery. He has played in 25 games for the Patriots and was a sixth-round draft pick in 2022.

Linebacker Jahlani Tavai, 28, signed an extension last July and is working back from a calf injury sustained in the spring. He has been a starter for 44 games since joining the Patriots in 2021 and entered the league with the Lions in 2019.

Camp Schedule Kicks Off

Rookies and quarterbacks reported to Gillette Stadium on Saturday, with non-rehabbing veterans scheduled to join on Tuesday. The team’s first official training camp practice under Coach Vrabel is set for Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. ET.

The Patriots’ offseason program included mandatory minicamp in June, where attendance is generally high. For instance, during the 2023 offseason program, 98% of players attended mandatory minicamp, indicating strong team engagement prior to training camp. (Pats Pulpit)