FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots were missing two rookies for their first training camp practice in pads.
Defensive tackle Vincent Valentine and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell were newly absent Saturday. Valentine sent out a since-deleted tweet Friday saying he was flying to Lincoln, Neb. He tweeted Saturday about the funeral of Nebraska punter and former teammate Sam Foltz.
Mitchell didn’t participate in practice, but he was spotted on the practice field after the morning session.
Running backs Dion Lewis and Brandon Bolden and defensive tackle Alan Branch also weren’t spotted. Wide receivers Julian Edelman, Nate Washington and Danny Amendola, guard Tre’ Jackson, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer and tight end Clay Harbor were present but didn’t participate or wear pads.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
