TE Henry day-to-day after injury to shoulder
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the most significant upgrades for the Patriots offense this offseason was at tight end with the additions of free agents Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.
Their production on their previous teams — 121 catches and 10 touchdowns between them over the past two seasons for the Titans and Chargers — instantly raised expectations.
But for the second time this summer Smith and Henry’s integration into New England’s system has been slowed by injury after Henry left the Patriots’ first practice of the week Sunday with a shoulder injury and subsequently sat out workouts Monday and Tuesday. Henry’s absences come roughly two months after Smith sustained a leg injury during New England’s first minicamp practice in June.
Smith missed the remainder of those workouts but was healthy in time for the start of training camp.
Now, it’s Henry who is sidelined, though when asked Tuesday, coach Bill Belichick’s level of concern was low about Henry potentially falling behind.
“Hunter has participated in everything he’s been able to do since he’s been here,” Belichick said. “He’s gained a lot of experience in the time that he’s been here. I would say he’s day-today.”
Though Henry appears to have avoided a significant injury, it was just part of a busy weekend of transactions for the Patriots at tight end.
In addition to Henry’s injury, the Patriots also placed Dalton Keene on injured reserve Saturday and activated Devin Asiasi off the reserve/covid-19 list.
Asiasi said he’s still working with the training staff to improve his strength but said the dynamic overall among all the tight ends on the field and in the meeting room has been good. He thinks the experience brought in by Henry and Smith has been helpful to the entire group.
“I think we’re all focused on playing our roles, and I think we all have contributions to make to the team,” Asiasi said.
Belichick said that missing time at this point typically won’t be a detriment to a new player learning the offensive system.