FOXBORO, Mass. — FingerGate has taken another twist, as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady practiced in full pads Sunday afternoon without any tape on his banged-up throwing hand. Brady had his ring and middle fingers taped together during the morning walkthrough.
Earlier Sunday, the Patriots put wide receiver Torry Holt on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury, and they waived safety Ross Ventrone. They also signed two rookies — wide receiver Buddy Farnham, who was released by the team last week, and offensive lineman Brian Simmons.
Twelve Patriots missed Sunday afternoon's practice. Wide receiver Matthew Slater, cornerback Leigh Bodden, cornerback Terrence Johnson, linebacker Dane Fletcher, linebacker Gary Guyton and offensive lineman George Bussey were present but did not participate. Safety Bret Lockett, offensive lineman Nick Kaczur, defensive lineman Damione Lewis, outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, left guard Logan Mankins and safety Josh Barrett were not present.
The Patriots officially conclude training camp Monday at 10 a.m. with their 25th practice. They'll head to Atlanta following the session.
Here are some other observations from Sunday's two workouts.
Other Injury Notes
Outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain spent a few minutes getting checked out by the trainers, who appeared to be looking at his right ankle. Banta-Cain, who is the Patriots' most polished outside linebacker, returned to practice after.
Wide receiver Darnell Jenkins spent a little more time with the trainers, who appeared to be looking at his right calf or lower leg. Jenkins is somewhat of a longshot to make the roster.
Like Footballs in a Barrel
Brian Hoyer continued his dominance of the barrel drill, in which the quarterbacks try to throw a football into a barrel from a set distance. Hoyer nailed it twice Sunday — one from 30 yards and once from 10 yards — to give him three hits through training camp. Brady and Zac Robinson have yet to sink one.
Good Coverage
Head coach Bill Belichick spent some time Sunday morning singing the praises of an improved Terrence Wheatley, who is "way ahead" of where he was at this point last year, according to Belichick. Late in Sunday's second practice, Wheatley provided sterling coverage on wide receiver Taylor Price. Hoyer tried to hit Price with a back-shoulder throw — one of the toughest for any cornerback to defend — but Wheatley turned around and swatted the ball away with his left hand.
On the next play, though, Hoyer and Price exacted some revenge on New England's zone coverage. Hoyer rolled out of the pocket to his left side and made a running throw to Price in the back of the end zone, and Price did a great job to snag the ball out of the air and tap both feet in bounds.
