Harry makes quiet debut
Rookie happy to see action
PHILADELPHIA — N’Keal Harry hadn’t played a competitive football game in almost a full year. Largely, it showed.
The Patriots’ first-round rookie wideout made three catches for 18 yards in his NFL debut Sunday against the Eagles, a 17-10 win dominated by defense. Harry took seven snaps and secured his first career catch in the first half. Then, taking over for the injured
Phillip Dorsett early in the third quarter, he finished with more than 40 offensive snaps for the game.
“It was great just to finally be out there and see what it was like,” Harry said. “So I’ve got a lot to work on, but I’m excited to move forward.”
Tom Brady rarely looked the rookie’s way, but was usually rewarded when he did, throwing only one incompletion in Harry’s direction. Harry said he didn’t feel rusty and settled in soon after delivering a powerful crackback block on Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett in the first quarter. The Arizona State product has also been participating in team practices since Week 7, when he was first eligible to practice while on injured reserve.
“Just routine plays that I’m supposed to make; plays that I expected myself to make,”
Harry said. “But like I said, I’ve got a lot to work on and a lot to focus on.”
The Patriots primarily deployed Harry in heavy personnel groupings, then used him in three-receiver sets for almost the entire second half. His consistent playing time portends well for his future in New England,
where young wideouts often struggle to make an early impact. Fellow rookie receiver Jakobi Meyers finished with only one catch for seven yard.
Dorsett leaves early
Phillip Dorsett‘s best play was his last.
The veteran wide receiver left Sunday’s win with a head injury after holding on to a 15-yard touchdown pass from Julian Edelman in the third quarter. Less than an hour later, Dorsett was ruled out for good. He was spotted in street clothes in the locker room post-game.
If Dorsett suffered a concussion, he could miss the Pats’ next game at home against Dallas. His five receiving touchdowns currently lead the team.
LaCosse returns to action
For the first time in more than a month, Patriots tight end Matt LaCosse was in full pads Sunday.
LaCosse had last appeared in the Pats’ win over the Giants on Thursday “Night Football” in Week 6, when he played 15 offensive snaps and suffered a high-ankle sprain. Without him, the Patriots leaned on Ben Wat
son at tight end, as Ryan Izzo also sat out with a concussion. Watson played every snap of the Pats’ loss at Baltimore.
LaCosse finished with two catches for three yards in Philadelphia.
Gronk teases “big announcement”
Over the weekend, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski took to his his Instagram stories to tease some personal news.
“I have a big announcement to make. I can’t wait to drop it on all of you,” he said in a brief video.
Gronkowski added the announcement will be made on his Instagram page on Tuesday at 9 a.m. In early August, Gronkowski made a similar tease before holding a press conference to announce his new business partnership with CBD Medic, an Abacus Health Products company. The 30-yearold has entered into several business ventures since retiring from football in late March.
The deadline for Gronkowski to return to football is Nov. 30, though there is no sign to indicate his return is likely.
Scouting eye
It’s typical for NFL teams to send an advance scout to the game of their next opponent every Sunday.
In Philadelphia, two franchises had eyes on the Patriots.
Both the Cowboys and Texans had scouts in attendance, as well as the Seahawks. Seattle is traveling to play the Eagles next week, when the Pats will host Dallas. The following week, on Dec. 1, the Patriots will kick off in Houston on Sunday Night Football. After losing in Baltimore, the Texans are scheduled to host the Colts on Thursday before welcoming the Pats.