Patriots Training Camp Observations: Matthew Judon Participates On Day 7

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots saw their best pass rusher return for Day 7 of training camp at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.

Matthew Judon, after entering the practice fields via a back entrance which he hadn’t previously used this summer, participated in all individual and team drills. Judon was the make-believe pass-rusher during New England’s 7-on-7 period and started with the top group when quarterback Jacoby Brissett took his first 11-on-11 snap.

Judon was a full participant three days after he walked out of practice in a hat and flip flops, following animated conversations with Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf.

While speaking to reporters before practice, Mayo said he had a “great” chat with Judon, who reportedly did not show up to the facility Tuesday before an off day Wednesday. Mayo declined to comment when asked about Tuesday’s no-show. Mayo indicated the two sides are “pushing forward,” and said he hopes any future contract discussions with Judon will take place behind closed doors.

“It was good. It was healthy, and I’ll always encourage those guys to come in and speak with me or speak with Eliot (Wolf),” Mayo said. “That’s what it is, and those things should happen inside of those walls.”

Judon registered a sack during competitive drills, which featured shells and helmets but no full pads. He’s been in training camp thus far with multiple sacks and a pick-six.

Here are more observations from Day 7:

— Drake Maye was better after a pair of down days in pads.

The rookie quarterback was 7-for-10 on the day and showed an improvement in processing after it lacked in the previous two padded practices.

Maye connected with K.J. Osborn on a sidearm, off-platform touchdown during red zone 7-on-7s. He made a few nice plays throwing to his left, including a pass to La’Michael Pettway in 7-on-7s and a throw to Mitchell Wilcox in 11-on-11s.

Maye started the initial 11-on-11 period with wide receivers DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Hunter Henry. That group shuffled out after Maye hit Polk on a crossing route, which went for a chain-mover after his quick decision-making.

Mayo said Maye, at some point, will have opportunities behind the first-string offensive line.

— Jacoby Brissett, to no surprise, repped with the first team. Brissett was 8-for-12 on the day. He hit Hunter Henry on a pair of passes in red zone 7-on-7s and went 5-for-8 with a touchdown (Antonio Gibson) and a coverage sack during 11-on-11s.

— There was another change to the starting offensive line Thursday. After working as the first-string left tackle in each of the first two padded practices, rookie Caedan Wallace was with the second team. The starting group consisted of, from left to right, Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, Nick Leverett, Mike Onwenu and Chukwuma Okorafor.

Leverett served as first-string center in place of David Andrews, who returned to practice but did not participate in team drills.

Sow, Onwenu and Okorafor have repped at their respective spots in each of the last three sessions.

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— Joe Milton III can freakin’ fire it.

While working in red zone 7-on-7s, Milton threw three of his five passes for touchdowns. Milton threw a laser to Kayshon Boutte running across the end line on his first snap, hit Ja’Lynn Polk with a missile on his third snap and showed great anticipation with a throw to Kawaan Baker on the next rep. The red zone 7-on-7 period is designed with offensive success in mind, but Milton’s throws were no less notable.

— Bailey Zappe and Milton split competitive reps. After Milton received the 7-on-7 work, Zappe received a period of 11-on-11. Zappe went 1-for-3 in those five snaps with a sack and final-rep touchdown to Boutte.

— Polk didn’t have as great of a day in 1-on-1s as Shaun Wade and Isaiah Bolden each recorded pass breakups against the second-round wideout.

— Tyquan Thornton is stacking days.

Thornton earned two wins in two red zone 1-on-1 reps against starting cornerback Christian Gonzalez and beat Bolden for a touchdown in red zone 7-on-7s.

— When both teams took the field for the red zone 11-on-11 period, defensive lineman included, from left to right, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux and Keion White. The Patriots could rely heavily on that group given the extended absence of Christian Barmore.

— Sixth-round rookie cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. got some work with the first-string defense.

— Joshua Uche, who has underwhelmed to start camp, recorded a sack on Bailey Zappe as he came around the left edge untouched during an 11-on-11 period.

— Douglas continued to wear a red no-contact jersey.

— Following Thursday’s practice, the Patriots announced they signed 33-year-old defensive tackle Mike Purcell.

— The Patriots return to Gillette Stadium for Day 8 of training camp Friday.