“We're all going to be judged every time we step on the field,” Osborne said. “It's really important for all of us, not just the younger guys, to work hard every day.”
Beyond the wide receiver opportunities, here are some observations from Day 12 of training camp.
*The extended break left little change on the PUP list, with Kendrick Bourne (knee), Sione Takitaki and Cole Strange (knee) still sidelined. Christian Barmore (blood clot), Marte Mapu and Marcus Jones also remain sidelined, and rookie linebacker John Morgan missed the first practice of camp. Mapu and Jones were on the field at times but did not practice. Long snapper Tucker Addington wore a red non-contact jersey, while Joe Cardona, who did not play in the Panthers game, wore the regular white jersey.
*Hunter Henry was in full pads but did not participate in the 11-on-11 drill. The tight end appeared to get up slowly after a play in practice on Aug. 6 and did not play against the Panthers. He only participated in position drills.
*Barmore's absence created an opportunity for the interior of the defensive line, and Jeremiah Farms put his practice to good use in the preseason opener against Carolina. A member of the Patriots organization the past two seasons, Farms has played in 12 games in 2023. At 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, the defensive tackle is not as big as Barmore, but is valued more as a run-stopper. Against the Panthers, he got a sack on Carolina's Jack Plummer and made four tackles in 22 effective snaps, while also showcasing his playmaking ability. “I want to work the same whether (Barmore) is here or not,” Farms said after practice. “I'm happy to be a part of this group. I'm trying to take the next step and I feel like I'm getting better mentally and physically. Every time I put on the helmet, it means a lot.”
*Another defensive tackle trying to carve out a role, Trysten Hill, also showed flashes of brilliance at times in camp. A second-round pick out of Dallas, Hill will enter his sixth season with the Patriots after the 2023 season. At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Hill is clearly a run-stopper with just 1.5 sacks in 32 career games. But while rotating with Davon Godchaux up the middle, Hill flashed the ability to get penetration at times. He was quiet against Carolina, though, recording just one tackle in 25 snaps.
