FOXBORO — The Patriots held their fifth training camp session Tuesday morning on the grass fields behind Gillette Stadium. It was a nearly two-hour session held in full pads, the third padded practice this summer.
With the warm conditions, it was one of the most intense practices of the summer and also because the Jaguars will be in town for joint practices in six days.
Who didn’t practice: Dont’a Hightower (PUP), Alan Branch (PUP), Andrew Jelks (NFI), Cody Hollister, Duron Harmon
Who returned: None
Who was injured during session: Elandon Roberts (non-contact ankle/foot, returned), James O'Shaughnessy (upper body, did not return)
Play of the day: Matthew Slater caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo on a ball that was deflected by the defensive back in coverage.
Here are some more observations from the session.
— At the beginning of the practice, Bill Belichick was on the phone for several minutes in the corner of the end zone.
— As usual, Danny Amendola and Malcolm Mitchell went to the lower fields for conditioning before individual drills. It is worth noting Amendola returned later in the practice to work on punt returns, so he’s getting closer to returning at full strength.
-- Dwayne Allen and Tony Garcia shoved one another after a 1-on-1 drill. This is the second time Garcia has been involved in a post-play shove.
— Roberts went down to the ground with what appeared to be a non-contact ankle/foot injury. He was down for several minutes getting attention from the trainers, but after walking to the sidelines and getting his ankle re-taped, he returned to action and didn’t appear limited.
— During a 1-on-1 drill, Julian Edelman toasted Eric Rowe, but it should be noted Edelman made about six jukes, which wouldn’t happen in live game action.
— Justin Coleman picked off a very poor Jimmy Garoppolo throw in 7-on-7s. Overall, Garoppolo appears to be pressing a bit, as he’s made some poor throws. Unlike in years past, the reads have been there, he’s just made some bad throws. Keep in mind he’s struggled in training camp before, but always seems to find a way in games.
— Kony Ealy, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Trey Flowers got some 1-on-1 instruction from Belichick working on blocking punts.
— O'Shaughnessy left the field with head trainer Jim Whalen midway though the session with an upper body injury. He tried to play through it, but eventually left.
— In one mobile drill, Belichick threw a bag very hard at Tom Brady, a sign that just because he’s Tom Brady he is still going to coach him hard.
— Rex Burkhead dropped a pass in 11-on-11s which got the attention of Brady.
— When Garoppolo took over, he threw a perfect pass to Slater for a roughly 40-yard touchdown on a batted ball. Slater was able to display his speed and Garoppolo his arm.
— The defense appeared to have some trouble communicating, especially the second unit and were forced to run a lap — coaches included.
— Garoppolo was picked off by Damarius Travis on another poor throw.
— Down on the goal line was where Edelman and Stephon Gilmore got into a post-play scrap and both players were ejected. After an incomplete pass it looked like Edelman wrestled Gilmore to the ground and both players’ helmets came off. Chris Hogan was the first of many to come over and break it up. After the dust settled, Belichick kicked both players out of practice. Edelman left the field first, followed by Gilmore. It seemed like a case of the heat getting to the players and perhaps some trash-talking on both sides.
— Wise was able to knock down a pass of Brady at the line. He had a very good day at the defensive end spot. So did Harvey Langi, who saw some time playing on the edge.
— Hogan was frustrated with himself at one point when he couldn’t haul in a Garoppolo throw and he took his helmet off and fired it to the ground.
— Garoppolo and Ted Karras had to run a lap for a false start.
-- Jacoby Brissett was up-and-down. He made several nice throws, but also some poor ones. Overall, it was one of his better days.
— Former Patriots long snapper Lonnie Paxton was on hand in order to retire as a Patriot.