{"id":288465,"date":"2025-08-14T21:53:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T21:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/288465\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T21:53:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T21:53:12","slug":"patriots-joint-practice-recap-vikings-dominate-thursday-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/288465\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots joint practice recap: Vikings dominate Thursday session"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New England Patriots were back at work on Thursday for their second practice with the Minnesota Vikings. After landing their punches on the first day of joint work<\/a>, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel encountered more challenges during the second session.<\/p>\n

The Vikings, frankly, spoiled the head coach\u2019s 50th birthday. Minnesota was the better team on both sides of the ball, and while the Patriots did again have some encouraging moments they were few and far between. The difference between a dark-horse Super Bowl candidate and a rebuilding team was on full display Thursday.<\/p>\n

Here is what went down on the practice fields at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, MN:<\/p>\n

Duration: ca. 120 minutes (1 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET)<\/p>\n

Conditions: Cloudy, temperatures in the 70s<\/p>\n

The rain mostly held off in Minnesota for the second fully-padded joint practice. After more full field work on Wednesday, the teams moved down into the red area for the majority of Thursday\u2019s session.<\/p>\n

Not participating: CB Christian Gonzalez, WR Ja\u2019Lynn Polk, LB Marte Mapu, RB Terrell Jennings, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Jahlani Tavai, WR Kendrick Bourne, TE Hunter Henry<\/p>\n

Returned: TE Hunter Henry, ED Elijah Ponder<\/p>\n

Limited: S Jabrill Peppers, CB D.J. James<\/p>\n

Departed: OL Jared Wilson<\/p>\n

There were no new absences for the Patriots on Thursday, but the day did see the return of Hunter Henry and Elijah Ponder to the field. Cornerback D.J. James also was in full pads after missing recent sessions but did not appear to participate in team drills.<\/p>\n

In the injury department, rookie offensive lineman Jared Wilson left the field after taking part in warmups with the second offensive line. Jabrill Peppers also left the field early before returning as a spectator.<\/p>\n

Offensive line woes: New England started the day with a change up front, as Ben Brown replaced rookie Jared Wilson as the starting left guard. The change did not lead to improved performance or the offensive line: Drake Maye was under consistent pressure throughout the afternoon.<\/p>\n

Much of that pressure came off of Maye\u2019s left side, with Jonathan Greenard getting home for what appeared to be three sacks in a span of 11 pass plays working against rookie tackle Will Campbell. It was the worst day of the summer for New England\u2019s first-round draft pick, who later also was flagged for a false start in the final one-minute period.<\/p>\n

Maye dealt with additional pressure up the middle of the pocket, including one unblocked rusher for a quick sack. Additionally, Morgan Moses gave up a pair of sacks to Dallas Turner and Jonathan Allen.<\/p>\n

Red area struggles: Opening with four periods starting inside or around the 10-yard line, it was a struggle for Maye and company. The group cleanly found the end zone on just one occurrence, a TreVeyon Henderson rush. With limited space available, New England\u2019s receivers struggled to create separation and Maye was forced into three scrambles and a throwaway. The second-year QB did have a pretty completion along the back end line to Austin Hooper for a score, but it came after Greenard had already tapped the QB on the back to effectively end the play right there.<\/p>\n

Moving into more full field work, New England continued having issues moving the football but would have had a chunk gain over the middle if not for a drop by DeMario Douglas. Maye\u2019s final one-minute drill then saw it\u2019s ups-and-downs, as two sacks backed the offense up. after a completion to Mack Hollins would have resulted in a turnover on downs, the sides appeared to gift the Patriots a fresh set of downs to continue the work.<\/p>\n

To cap things off a play later, Maye heaved a 45-yard ball into the end zone which Kayshon Boutte came down with to end the day on a somewhat high note.<\/p>\n

As for Maye, the young quarterback took care of the football again and found completions when the opportunity presented itself. Unfortunately for the Patriots offense, these opportunities were limited.<\/p>\n

Defensive issues: New England\u2019s defensive line was again active in front of Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy on Thursday, including Christian Barmore and Milton Williams making their presence felt along the interior. The sophomore quarterback, however, found plenty of completions throughout the day.<\/p>\n

For a second straight practice, tight end T.J. Hockenson was the top pass catcher and a player giving New England fits. The 5-foot-8 Marcus Jones struggled in coverage against the 6-foot-5 tight end, and was then also on the wrong end of a Jordan Addison touchdown to cap off McCarthy\u2019s one-minute drive at the end of practice.<\/p>\n

Dobbs\u2019 bounceback: After throwing two interceptions in Wednesday\u2019s practice, it was a bounceback day for backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Working behind Maye with the second-string offense, he found success in the red area connecting on touchdown passes to Efton Chism III (2), Kyle Williams, and Javon Baker. Dobbs then ended his one-minute drive in the end zone by finding tight end Jack Westover for a score.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Josh is the backup right now. Not that that couldn\u2019t change. You know, Ben [Wooldridge]\u2018s working hard, and we\u2019ll see,\u201d Mike Vrabel said before practice<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re always trying to strengthen the roster each and every day, but Josh is in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other notes: Efton Chism III continues to be the most consistent source of offense for the second team. Besides a pair of strong wins in 1-on-1s, the undrafted wide receiver caught two touchdowns in full team work. \u2026 Stefon Diggs did not see any targets in full-team work. \u2026 TreVeyon Henderson planted a Vikings linebacker in blitz pickup. \u2026 New England\u2019s second offensive line saw plenty of shuffling with Marcus Bryant and Vederian Lowe at both left and right tackle. \u2026 Truman Jones had a would-be sack on Vikings backup QB Sam Howell in a hurry-up drive. \u2026 Jack Gibbens had a pass breakup near the goal line. \u2026 Carlton Davis and Alex Austin served as the top two boundary cornerbacks. \u2026 Kyle Dugger still primarily repped with the second unit even with Jabrill Peppers out of team drills; Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson, who got beat for a late touchdown, were the top two safeties. \u2026 No field goal attempts from either Andy Borregales or Parker Romo.<\/p>\n

With both joint practices in the books, the Patriots will now turn their attention to preseason game No. 2. The matchup with the Vikings is set to kickoff at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.<\/p>\n

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