FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots have enough injuries to deal with as it is, but they can add a few more names to the list after Tuesday organized team activity.
Tight end Jake Ballard, cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and running back Stevan Ridley all suffered injuries during the practice session on Tuesday.
Ballard went down first, hobbling off the sideline after making a nice catch on a pass from Tom Brady. He was favoring his left leg, which is frightening mainly because that’s the same leg he suffered the ACL tear that kept him out last season. Fortunately, the trainers appeared to be focusing on his ankle rather than the knee, and Ballard was able to get up and walk back to the offensive sideline under his own power. Ballard was expected to take reps for Rob Gronkowski, who will undergo back surgery — his fifth in the last calendar year — next week, during OTAs. Undrafted rookie tight end Zach Sudfield got some extended action with the first team in his place.
Dennard injured his left shoulder near the end of practice, getting attention from trainers and eventually being carted off the field for further examination. Bill Belichick even came over to talk with Dennard before he was carted off, making the injury appear serious enough for the head coach’s attention.
As for Ridley, the starting tailback hobbled off the field, grabbing at his right leg, after catching a pass from Brady. He seemed to pull a muscle, whether it was a hamstring or quadriceps, and spent the rest of practice rubbing it and doing some extended stretching.
The severity of each injury is unknown, but Dennard’s seemed to be worst of all. We’ll see if each player is able to participate at next week’s mandatory minicamp (June 11-13).
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