FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots wrapped up their first official practice of training camp Thursday morning, and 75 of their 81 players participated in the full session.
Left guard Logan Mankins (holdout) and defensive end/linebacker Derrick Burgess (who is reportedly considering retirement) were the only players who were completely absent. Before practice, head coach Bill Belichick said Mankins was not in the building.
"All of the players that are here are under contract, and Logan is not under contract," Belichick said.
Wide receivers Wes Welker, Sam Aiken and Darnell Jenkins and defensive lineman Ron Brace worked out off to the side without pads. Welker was still wearing a brace on his left knee, and his workout regimen appeared to be more intense than the others. Wearing shorts and a red sleeveless T-shirt, Welker ran sprints, routes, cone drills and worked out with a parachute attached to his waste.
Safety Patrick Chung shed the red non-contract jersey that he wore throughout New England's series of spring practices due to an apparent wrist injury. Chung also received almost all of the reps alongside safety Brandon Meriweather with the first-team defense, which made it appear as though he has the early edge in that position battle.
