FOXBORO, Mass. — It was easy to notice the New England Patriots’ most significant absences at their first day of organized team activities open to the media.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, cornerback Malcolm Butler and wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola didn’t participate in Thursday’s session.
Cornerback Logan Ryan, running backs LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis, safeties Duron Harmon and Nate Ebner, long snapper Joe Cardona, offensive linemen Tre’ Jackson, Josh Kline, Shaq Mason, Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer, and defensive linemen Frank Kearse and Alan Branch rounded out the Patriots’ absences.
Lewis is coming off a torn ACL, and Edelman, Amendola, Kline and Jackson underwent offseason surgeries. Blount’s 2015 season ended early with a hip injury, and Solder was placed on injured reserve with a torn bicep. Ebner is taking a leave from the Patriots in an attempt to make the U.S. Olympic rugby sevens team, and Cardona is filling his Naval duties. Harmon’s absence was not injury related.
It’s unclear why Gronkowski, Butler, Ryan, Mason, Vollmer, Kearse and Branch missed the session.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
