FOXBORO, Mass. — With the rain pouring down over Gillette Stadium, the Patriots practiced Monday inside the Dana-Farber Field House for the first time of training camp.
Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham missed his first practice — the 18th of camp and the 10th in full pads — and he was one of 21 players who were absent from the session.
Wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Deion Branch spent a few minutes on the exercise bikes midway through the practice, but neither missed any live drills. It could have been a way to stay loose because, despite the humidity inside the bubble, it was the coldest day of camp.
Wide receiver Taylor Price, running back Kevin Faulk, cornerback Malcolm Williams, running back Eric Kettani, linebacker Christian Cox, linebacker Jeff Tarpinian, linebacker Brandon Spikes, offensive lineman Marcus Cannon, offensive lineman Ryan Wendell and defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth were all missing from practice.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman, wide receiver Brandon Tate, running back Shane Vereen, safety James Sanders, defensive lineman Mike Wright, cornerback Ras-I Dowling, safety Josh Barrett, defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick, defensive lineman Shaun Ellis and defensive lineman Ron Brace did not practice but worked out to the side.
In preparation for their first road trip of the preseason, the Patriots worked on silent counts as they continued to expand their playbook.
