List shelters PUPs Hightower, Branch
It could be a slow start to training camp for linebacker Dont’a Hightower and defensive tackle Alan Branch, who were placed on the physically unable to perform list by the Patriots yesterday.
Both players can return at any time during training camp, but if the Pats keep them on the PUP list when the regular season starts, that would mean they would miss at least the first six weeks.
Hightower wasn’t in drills with teammates for spring practices with the Patriots. He remained on the conditioning field.
In March, after Hightower reached free agency, the Pats signed him to a four-year deal with a maximum value of $43.5 million.
It is of particular importance that Hightower remains healthy. Not only is he the best linebacker on a unit that is the weakest on the roster, but as a captain he is a critical leader both on and off the field. The competition at the position to see who plays, presumably, alongside him will be among the most hotly contested in camp.
The current situation is nothing new for Branch, who skips a large portion of the spring practices and usually stays on the PUP list until he passes a conditioning test.
The Patriots also placed rookie free agent offensive lineman Andrew Jelks on the non-football injury list.
Brady’s ready to go
It may not be any sort of surprise, but Tom Brady is excited for training camp to begin.
The 40-year-old Patriots quarterback posted an image on his Instagram account of himself giving a thumbs-up gesture. His caption: “It feels so good to be baaaaaaaaack #trainingcamp #LETSGO.”
He posted the message just after 5 a.m. and was among a small number of veteran players to report.
Training camp does not officially start until Thursday with a 9 a.m. practice. Rookies were expected to arrive yesterday, and the veterans should be at Gillette Stadium tomorrow.
But Brady always has been the type to show up early and stay late, so his arrival at the very first chance to work with teammates is no shock.