The New England Patriots will be without some key veterans when they open training camp next week.
Center David Andrews, defensive back Jonathan Jones, linebacker Raekwon McMillan, defensive back Jabrill Peppers and running back James White were added to the physically unable to perform list Thursday, meaning they are not yet able to practice.
Andrews is entering his seventh season with the Patriots and has been a mainstay of the offensive line since arriving as an undrafted free agent. His presence is expected to be a major factor in the protection and development of second-year quarterback Mac Jones. Andrews underwent shoulder surgery in January.
Jones has progressed from a speedy special teamer to a versatile defensive back during his time with the Patriots. His absence was felt when he missed the latter part of the 2021 season because of an injury.
McMillan missed the entire 2021-22 season because of an ACL tear in training camp, and will once again begin the start of preseason on the sidelines.
Peppers is entering his first season with the Patriots after spending the last three seasons with the New York Giants. Last season, he had one interception and 41 solo tackles.
White, now in his eighth season with the Patriots, missed most of the 2021 season because of a hip injury.
The Patriots are set to hold their first open practice at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday.
ACCORDING TO CAP numbers reported by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Patriots enter training camp with the second-least cap space in the NFL. Trailing only the Ravens ($732,000 in space), the Patriots reportedly have just $1.27 million in cap space. According to cap expert PatsCap, that number is $1,266,682, to be exact.
It’s a bit of financial reckoning for the Patriots a year after a historic spending spree in free agency. The Patriots don’t have any out-of-this-world contracts on their roster. But they do have a deep stable of veteran players with hefty price tags.
According to Over the Cap, the biggest cap hits on the roster are pass rusher Matthew Judon ($16.5 million), tight end Hunter Henry ($15 million), wide receiver Nelson Agholor ($14.88 million), tight end Jonnu Smith ($13.69 million), tackle Isaiah Wynn ($10.4 million) and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux ($10.25 million). That’s in addition to 13 other players whose cap hits range from $3 million to $7.7 million.
The Patriots made limited moves in free agency because of their financial situation, passing on a number of big-name targets and focusing on retaining locker room leaders Devin McCourty and Ja’Whaun Bentley. They freed up some cap space by redoing David Andrews’ contract.
BROWNS: Deshaun Watson reported to his first training camp with Cleveland, still not knowing exactly when he’ll be the starting quarterback.
Like one of his passes, Watson’s future remains up in the air.
As he awaits word on whether he’ll be suspended by the NFL for off-field behavior, the three-time Pro Bowler arrived at Cleveland’s training facility in Berea, Ohio, along with the team’s other QBs and rookies.
Watson, 26, is facing a likely league suspension for violating its personal conduct policy following allegations by two dozen massage therapists in Texas that he was sexually inappropriate with them during sessions while he played for Houston.
Watson’s fate is being decided by league disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, a retired federal judge in Delaware who has spent the past few weeks reviewing his case following a hearing and briefs submitted by the quarterback’s legal team, the NFL Players Association and league.
The NFL pushed for an indefinite suspension for Watson, who was never criminally charged and has maintained his innocence. Grand juries in two Texas counties declined to indict him.
There’s no definitive timeline for Robinson’s ruling. The Browns have been hopeful they’d know before veterans report next week. Cleveland’s first full-squad practice is Wednesday.
GIANTS: The Giants signed defensive back Gavin Heslop and terminated the contract of offensive tackle Korey Cunningham because of a non-football injury.
Heslop played mostly on special teams in three games for Seattle last season. He made his NFL debut against Arizona on Nov. 21 and also appeared against Washington and Houston.
CHIEFS: Jim Lynch, a hard-hitting linebacker who helped Kansas City beat the Minnesota Vikings in the 1970 Super Bowl following a standout career at Notre Dame, has died. He was 76.
Lynch’s family announced that he died Thursday but did not provide a cause.
Lynch played 11 seasons in the NFL, all in Kansas City, and finished his career with 17 interceptions, 18 sacks and 14 fumble recoveries. He was inducted into the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame in 1990 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
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