Chandler Jones, Malcolm Butler Among Patriots OTAs Absentees

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots saw one starting defender return to the practice field Thursday.

Third-year linebacker Jamie Collins was back at organized team activities for the second session open to the media. Collins missed last Friday’s practice for undisclosed reasons. Fellow starting linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo remained out this week, however.

Wide receivers Matthew Slater and Brandon LaFell, cornerback Malcolm Butler, offensive linemen Ryan Wendell and Sebastian Vollmer, tight end A.J. Derby and defensive linemen Jabaal Sheard, Chris Jones, Chandler Jones, Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch and Dominique Easley also were out of practice.

Overall, 72 of 90 Patriots practiced. Only a handful of Patriots players wore numbers on either the back of their helmets, shirt or shorts. The majority of players didn’t wear any numbers, making full attendance impossible.

Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images