Yahoo Sports NFL training camp tracker: Patriots rookie RB Damien Harris not finding many reps
Throughout NFL training camps, Yahoo Sports will track the new faces, holdouts, injuries and position battles that will shape your team’s season. Check back to keep up with the league’s hottest news as it happens.
The problem with getting drafted to the New England Patriots is you’re likely going to be competing with a pretty good player for a job. Or multiple players.
So it goes for rookie running back Damien Harris. Harris, a third-round pick from Alabama, looked like he could factor into the Patriots’ backfield. But as Kevin Duffy of the Boston Herald pointed out, Harris hasn’t gotten many practice reps over the past week and observers “haven’t seen much from rookie running back Damien Harris this summer.” Duffy wrote that “it’s clear that Sony Michel is the team’s top ballcarrier.” Duffy said Michel, Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden got a majority of the practice reps on Monday.
Duffy also wrote that left tackle Isaiah Wynn, a first-round pick last year who tore his Achilles in the preseason, took part in competitive 1-on-1, 2-on-2 and 11-on-11 drills for the first time all summer. That’s great news for the Patriots. Wynn is expected to replace Trent Brown, who signed a record deal with the Raiders in free agency.
Cardinals prep for Patrick Peterson’s suspension
Nine-year veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson will miss the first regular-season action of his career thanks to a six-game PED suspension and the team is adjusting accordingly.
Kingsbury said the Cardinals will start to dial back the first-team reps of Patrick Peterson, allowing for either Tramaine Brock or Byron Murphy to get more work with 1st unit, in prep of P2 suspension. Said Murphy still has a chance at that role.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) August 12, 2019
Brock is entering his 10th season having played for the 49ers, Vikings and Broncos and amassing 11 interceptions in that timeframe. Murphy, the first player off the board in the second round of April’s draft, had six picks in two seasons at Washington.
Browns DE leaves practice on stretcher
A scary scene unfolded during Browns practice on Monday as second-year defensive end Chad Thomas was immobilized before being taken away on a stretcher.
#Browns Chad Thomas immobilized on a stretcher and then carted off. Disturbing scene at practice pic.twitter.com/9fYlx7uev0
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 12, 2019
#Browns Chad Thomas has feeling in his extremities and was taken to University Hospitals for further evaluation after being carted off
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 12, 2019
Saints RT Ryan Ramczyk leaves practice
One of the guys tasked with keeping Drew Brees upright and giving Alvin Kamara running lanes left practice early on Monday.
Ryan Ramczyk left practice with a trainer a few minutes ago. Patrick Omameh at RT. Newhouse at LT with Armstead out.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) August 12, 2019
Ramczyk, in his third season, has started all 31 regular season games he’s appeared in and was named second-team All-Pro in 2018.
