Patriots’ Josh Boyce, Brandon Gibson Taking Advantage Of Increased Reps

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots might need to add a few pass catchers to their training camp roster.

Wide receivers Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson, Matthew Slater, Brandon LaFell and Brian Tyms didn’t practice Thursday, and tight ends Jimmay Mundine and Scott Chandler both appeared to get banged up.

That left just Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce, Zach D’Orazio, Brandon Gibson, Chris Harper and Jonathan Krause at wide receiver and Jake Bequette, Mason Brodine, Rob Gronkowski and Michael Hoomanawanui at tight end.

Boyce and Gibson, both of whom saw increased reps in the first-team offense, took advantage of their opportunities.

“It was great,” Boyce said. “Any day you can get in there and get more film and things like that and make plays, it’s good.”

Boyce and Gibson both are on the roster bubble at wide receiver, but health is key during training camp. The longer they’re on the field while Dobson and Tyms are off, the more it can help their chances of cracking the 53-man roster. Gibson is even taking advantage of the snaps when he’s not in the offense.

“For me, I just try — when I’m not in the game — to take rep mentally, understand what I’m doing and that I’m in the right place,” Gibson said.

Boyce has just nine catches for 121 yards in his two seasons with the Patriots. He was cut out of training camp last offseason then spent the majority of the season on the practice squad. He’s feeling more comfortable this summer, however.

“I’m just playing faster,” Boyce said. “I’ve got a good grasp of the offense, so (I’m) just going out there playing, not really thinking about it.”

Boyce has been a favorite target of quarterbacks Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo during training camp, and his versatility to contribute in the kicking game, combined with his newfound confidence, could help him crack the regular-season roster.

Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images