Training camp, as we know it, is over. Fans are no longer filling the bleachers and ramps behind Gillette Stadium, as the team turns a corner and heads toward the regular season.
And with one preseason game remaining on the schedule, the Patriots got back to work on the lower practice field, adjacent to their new training center, on Monday.
The most notable aspect of the day was the return of cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
The 24-year-old last practiced on Aug. 10, suffering an unspecified injury late in the session, according to the team. He missed the Patriots’ joint practice with the Colts the following day and likewise missed New England’s joint practices with the Eagles last week.
Yet on Monday, Gonzalez returned to practice, despite still being without his big-money contract extension.
According to Patriots insider Phil Perry, Gonzalez “looked like himself” and broke up a Drake Maye pass that was intended for A.J. Brown.
The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan added that Gonzalez “smothered” Pop Douglas in a 2-on-2 rep.
TreVeyon Henderson leaves early
Second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson left Monday’s session early. Henderson had slipped on the grass surface, which was a bit of a problem throughout the practice.
Offensive line notes
Perry noted some offensive line changes:
James Hudson has been playing ineffectively at guard this preseason, so his slide to tackle could be a result of those game reps going poorly. Hudson has been a tackle throughout his five-year NFL career.
Caleb Lomu may now be the lone option as a swing tackle for the Patriots, depending on the severity of Marcus Bryant’s injury.
And Greg Van Roten is certainly the immediate choice for a backup on the interior of the line, as the 36-year-old has 144 games of NFL experience and has played every game for the past three seasons.
Other notes
Rhamondre Stevenson made an impressive catch for a touchdown, a reminder of his potential as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Stevenson set career highs in receptions (69) and receiving yards (421) back in the 2022 season, but he’s remained a consistent contributor in the passing game. He caught 32 passes on 37 targets for 345 yards and two touchdowns last season, including a five-catch, 88-yard receiving performance in Miami in Week 2.
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Christian Elliss heaped some praise on rookies Khalil Jacobs and Namdi Obiazor.
