FOXBORO, Mass. — Chris Hogan appeared good as new Friday after missing three consecutive training camp practices with a reported shoulder injury.
The New England Patriots wide receiver caught a team-high eight passes from quarterback Tom Brady during a spirited intrasquad scrimmage to help his team score a 17-9 win over a team led by Jimmy Garoppolo.
“It’s good to get out here and get put in a scrimmage situation,” Hogan said. “Actual series, moving the ball and all that kind of stuff. But I’ve been working pretty hard, just staying in the playbook and making sure — a big thing is communication — so I’m always just kind of talking to these guys … whoever’s our quarterback, making sure I’m on the same page with them. Always, because that’s a big part of that receiver-quarterback connection.”
Hogan was Brady’s favorite target Friday — unsurprising given that wideouts Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola both did not participate (and have yet to this summer) and tight end Rob Gronkowski played for Team Garoppolo.
The 27-year-old, who signed with the Patriots as a free agent in March after three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, also hauled in one of Brady’s two touchdown passes on the day and displayed the best hands of any Patriots pass-catcher.
“For me, it’s a process,” Hogan said. “It’s every single day of being able to let these guys know that they can hold me accountable to know this offense, know where I’m supposed to be and that I can get open and catch the ball. That’s obviously the biggest thing playing receiver.
“(Friday) was good. I felt good out there (Friday), and I was able to make some plays. I was on the same page with Tom (on Friday), which was great.”
Hogan did wear a red non-contact jersey during the scrimmage, however, and afterward said he’s “getting back day by day.” He then added he felt “great” and “definitely” plans to be a full participant when the Patriots hold their first of two joint practices with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.
Thumbnail photo via Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports Images
