Carlton Davis III, the Patriots’ starting outside cornerback, got banged up during Tuesday’s practice and won’t hit the field for Thursday’s session. This isn’t just a minor setback; with pads coming on, losing a starter, even temporarily, means the secondary is already getting tested in training camp. Coach Vrabel kept his cards close, as usual, not dropping any hints about what Davis is dealing with or how long he might be out.
Who Steps Up? Charles Woods Gets a Shot, But Jacas’s Knee Is The Real Wild Card
Davis’s absence is a huge opportunity for the depth guys to show what they’ve got with the first team. Who’s gonna step up? Charles Woods is a prime candidate. Vrabel had a chill update on Woods, who also left practice Tuesday, saying he didn’t think it was “anything major.” Woods is expected to practice Thursday, which means he could immediately slot into that starting spot vacated by Davis. It’s a next-man-up league, right? But you always want your starters healthy, especially a guy like Davis.
Meanwhile, there’s the ongoing saga of second-round pick Gabe Jacas. This kid has been on the non-football injury list since he signed his rookie deal, all thanks to an offseason knee procedure. Vrabel said Jacas “continues to progress well” and is getting “closer to return to play.” That sounds good on the surface, but the team put “unusual safety measures” in his contract because of those knee questions. That’s a huge red flag, man! You gotta wonder what kind of long-term risk they see there. It’s a good sign that Vrabel praised Jacas’s attentiveness in meetings and doing “everything he needed to do,” but the knee situation is definitely something to keep an eye on. It’s almost a bigger worry than Davis being out for a practice or two, just because of the long-term implications for a rookie deal.
The PUP/NFI List Is Still Packed
And what about the other edge rusher, Harold Landry III? Vrabel didn’t offer specifics, but he did say he’d “probably would say that Gabe’s closer to coming back than Harold is.” That means Landry, a team captain, is likely still a ways off. Jacas, Landry, along with RB Terrell Jennings, TE C.J. Dippre, and S Brenden Schooler, are all still stuck on the PUP/NFI lists. None of those five guys are ready to return just yet. That’s a lot of talent sitting on the sidelines when you’re trying to build team chemistry and get everyone up to speed.
The Patriots are still scheduled for their fifth practice of training camp Thursday morning, even with rainy conditions. They need to get these guys back on the field, especially with the full pads coming out. Every rep matters right now to get this team dialed in for what’s coming.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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