FOXBORO — It’s hard to square how a quarterback with two interceptions and a sack in one practice could strengthen his grip on a starting job.

Here’s how Jacoby Brissett did so Saturday.

Brissett went 9-of-14 with a pick during competitive 11-on-11 periods, including another two-minute drill he capped by firing a touchdown pass in the final 10 seconds. Following Friday’s late, dramatic strike to DeMario Douglas, Brissett snapped the ball outside the 5-yard line with a second left on a running clock Saturday, backed away from pressure and lobbed a prayer over the middle for Hunter Henry.

Touchdown.

Brissett also hit Henry on two deep strikes during a previous hurry-up drive, when he uncorked a potential deep touchdown to Jalen Reagor. But Reaglor lost a battle at the catch point to Azizi Hearn whose deflection inside the end zone triggered a tip-drill interception for roaming safety Jaylinn Hawkins. That interception was the only blemish for Brissett during the Patriots’ most telling, pressure-packed series, during which he finished 6-of-7 with a pick.

Meanwhile, Drake Maye’s final two-minute drill went nowhere. Literally, thanks to some bad luck, bad help and missed chances.

On his final drive, Maye fired a throwaway, overshot Javon Baker on deep incompletion, then watched his third-down pass sail by a slipping JuJu Smith-Schuster and his final pass get batted down at the line. Earlier in practice, Maye went 2-of-4 – hitting a tight end in the flat and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk on a comeback route that nearly sailed wide – to set up a 50-plus yard field goal.

Overall in full-team periods, Maye went 3-of-9 with four sacks and one pass drop. All day, he played behind third-string tackles, while most of his receivers synced up to have some of their worst and/or quietest practices of the summer. But Maye, around a productive 7-on-7 period in the red zone with two sweet touchdowns, looked sometimes hesitant and other times harried.

He double-pumped, whipped a checkdown out of reach, got lucky on his longest completion and had a presence about him that was absent virtually all of spring and last week. Not that Maye is facing any pressure behind him on the depth chart (fellow rookie Joe Milton finished 2-of-8 with a sack), or wouldn’t benefit from a healthy supporting cast. But Brissett entered Saturday’s practice – a humid, padded session lasting more than two hours – with a sizable lead.

That lead grew by the time Brissett left the field.

Elsewhere at practice, Matthew Judon fully participated again, an unknown defensive tackle dominated, the running game continued to stall, a speedy receiver was missing and the kicking competition continued.

Here are the Herald’s complete practice observations:

Attendance

Absent: OT Calvin Anderson, S Joshuah Bledsoe, TE Jaheim Bell

Non-participant: S Marte Mapu, DB Marcus Jones, WR Tyquan Thornton

Limited: OT Chukwuma Okorafor

Non-contact jersey: CB Shaun Wade

PUP: WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki, OL Cole Strange, C/G Jake Andrews

Notes: Thornton was the only surprise absence from this group, but the former second-round pick is not expected to be out long-term, per a source. Thornton has a rough injury history, losing several games to broken bones each of the last two summers; something the team has been mindful of during camp.

Anderson missed his first practice after suffering a lower-leg injury Friday, when he returned to action. Jones and Bledsoe missed their second straight practices, respectively, while Mapu and Bell haven’t suited up in more than a week. Okorafor participated in initial stretching, but sat out all team periods for reasons unknown.

Play of the Day

Hunter Henry’s one-handed sideline snag

Jerod Mayo waved the play off, calling it a sack after the whistle had blown. But when a catch is this good, it can’t go overlooked.

Aligned in the left slot, Henry immediately gained a step on Kyle Dugger early in Brissett’s initial hurry-up drill. He angled left on a fade route, with Dugger now attached to his right hip. Realizing he had just enough separation, Henry looked back for the ball, flipped around 180 degrees toward the sideline and shot out his right arm as Brissett’s pass fell, snatching it for a one-handed grab.

The best catch of camp.

Player of the Day

TE Hunter Henry

What a practice.

Henry scored the Patriots’ final touchdown to punctuate a successful two-minute drill, made a highlight-reel grab, added another catch on a deep crossing route and finished with four receptions on the day. He’s still got it.

QB Corner

Note: The passing stats below were tallied during competitive 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods only. The stats in parentheses represent the quarterbacks’ camp-long performance.

Jacoby Brissett: 11-of-18, 2 INTs, sack (75-of-111, 3 INTs, 12 sacks)

Drake Maye: 6-of-14, 4 sacks (67-of-110, 2 INTs, 11 sacks)

Notes: Let’s start with the good for Maye.

After getting swarmed for three sacks on his initial three dropbacks, he steered the offense toward a long field goal attempt over a two-minute drill. That possession featured a missed flat throw to Kevin Harris, flat completion to tight end Mitchell Wilcox, connection with Polk on a comeback route that Polk saved with a full-extension grab as he fell to the turf and a throwaway after firing a spike.

Later, in red-zone 7-on-7s, Maye would have scored three touchdowns on four dropbacks had Wilcox managed to maintain possession on an inside throw that split two safeties. He also rifled a score to Polk on an in-breaking route during the same period and flashed anticipation when he found Javon Baker in the back left corner on a corner route.

Good stuff.

Then, trouble found Maye again in red-zone 11-on-11s. He dumped an easy shallow-cross pass to Osborn after several seconds in the pocket, took a “sack” courtesy of Keion White and a hand-off, which led to his 0-of-4 two-minute drill at the end.

Unlike prior practices, Maye dared to strike downfield Saturday, including his overthrow of Baker at the end. That’s encouraging, even if Brissett remains far ahead in this department thanks to his Henry completions, go-ball to Osborn and an opening deep cross to Wilcox. Downfield aggression, accuracy in the intermediate area and processing speed are the widest gaps between the two passers right now.

How Patriots’ defense responded to Jerod Mayo’s latest challenge

Studs

DL Trysten Hill

Two run stuffs, a sack and a fourth-down batted pass in team periods is one heck of a day for any interior D-lineman, let alone one pushing for a roster spot. Hill was at the center of another excellent day of run defense, and one of the best practices by any defender to date.

WR K.J. Osborn

Osboron’s best practice as a Patriot featured a team-high five catches — three from Brissett and two from Maye — around a drop. The last of those catches was a 35-yard gain on a go route down the right sideline that carried the offense downfield during Brissett’s last hurry-up drive that started with just 56 seconds. Osborn beat rising second-year cornerback Alex Austin on the play.

S Jaylinn Hawkins

Hawkins followed his tip-drill interception by ranging over for a clean pass breakup during 11-on-11 red-zone work late in practice. The veteran has come on strong the last few days, especially with Marte Mapu still sidelined.

Duds

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Based on his nine practices to date, and physical struggles last season, I don’t see any path for Smith-Schuster to make this team. He dropped a touchdown pass from Milton and slipped on the only target Maye gave him. He can’t separate anymore or reliably catch the ball, the two biggest demands of any receiver.

TE Austin Hooper

During 7-on-7s, Hooper stopped running an in-breaking route when he felt Austin grab him from behind. That allowed Austin to jump the pass for Brissett’s second interception of the day, and the easiest pick of camp. Hooper went without a catch in team periods.

Offensive notes

• Top targets in team drills: WR K.J. Osborn 5/6, TE Hunter Henry 4/5, WR Kayshon Boutte 3/4, WR Ja’Lynn Polk 2/3, TE Mitchell Wilcox 2/3
• Drops: Boutte, Osborn, Smith-Schuster
• Top offensive line: LT Vederian Lowe, LG Sidy Sow, C Dvaid Andrews, RG Mike Onwenu, RT Caedan Wallace

Quarterbacks

• After getting shut out of team drills Friday, Bailey Zappe went 3-of-5 with a drop over a couple 11-on-11 sessions.
• Rookie Joe Milton fared worse, completed just two of eight passes, including one drop, and took a would-be sack. Milton has performed far better in 7-on-7 settings than 11-on-11s, as has Maye.
• Between them, Milton delivered the best completion, ripping a “touchdown” to Kayshon Boutte on an in-breaking route during red-zone 11-on-11s.

Running backs

• A rough practice for this group, through little fault of their own.
• Zero targets for Rhamondre Stevenson or Antonio Gibson in team drills. Both veterans got stuffed on inside hand-offs and struggled to find room outside.
• Third-year bowling ball Kevin Harris caught one pass and was overshot on a checkdown throw.
• Before practice, Jerod Mayo noted JaMycal Hasty’s skill set separates him from the rest of the group, as a smaller, shifty, pass-catching back.

Wide receivers

• With Tyquan Thornton out, the Patriots started Jalen Reagor in his place opposite Osborn for the opening team period. Reagor failed to seize on that opportunity, securing one of three passes he saw.
• Osborn outshone all the wideouts, winning at multiple levels and again playing inside and out. The ex-Viking looks like a lock for the 53-man roster.
• DeMario Douglas followed up his breakout Friday practice (five catches and a touchdown) with just two grabs: a score in one red-zone period, and a catch in the flat from Brissett just before Henry’s dramatic touchdown.
• Ja’Lynn Polk continued to build on his connection with Maye, nabbing a tough throw on a comeback route and a touchdown on a post; both during 11-on-11s. He went 2-of-3 on targets, including a Brissett overthrow.
• Fourth-round rookie Javon Baker still looks dangerous downfield, but hasn’t produced quite like he did earlier in camp. He had one “touchdown” in a 7-on-7 drill and was overthrown during Maye’s two-minute drill.

Patriots’ DeMario Douglas playing it smart with training camp injury

Tight ends

• Hunter Henry is developing into one of, if not the most, trusted targets for Brissett and Maye. The quarterbacks look for him early in practice and clutch situations, as Brissett did on his final drive.
• After leading the Patriots in catches through six practices, Hooper has cooled with three receptions over the last three days.
• Mitchell Wilcox earned significant attention in team periods, but it’s his run-blocking that ultimately may give him an edge for the No. 3 job over La’Michael Pettway, who also didn’t earn a single target.

Offensive line

• With Chukwuma Okorafor and Calvin Anderson out for team periods, the Patriots started Vederian Lowe at left tackle for a third straight day and promoted third-round rookie Caedan Wallace back to the first team at right tackle.
• Behind them, Kellen Diesch, who signed two days ago, started at left tackle with Maye’s unit, and undrafted rookie Zuri Henry was at right tackle.
• Overall, a tough day for the O-line. Allowing run stuffs on 33% of hand-offs and yielding six sacks kept every offensive unit from gaining a rhythm unless Brissett hit deep throws (as he did on both hurry-up drives).
• Center David Andrews remains limited, but went deeper into 11-on-11 periods than recent days after he missed two practices.
• Nick Leverett and Atonio Mafi remain the Patriots’ second- and third-string centers, respectively, but undrafted rookie Charles Turner got some run with the third-team offense.
• Fourth-round rookie Layden Robinson took snaps at left guard after spending most of camp at right guard, his college position.
• Backup guard Liam Fornadel took a penalty lap for false-starting early in practice.

Defensive notes

• Starting and second-string personnel during team periods: defensive linemen Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Keion White, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale, Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts and Jeremiah Pharms Jr.; linebackers Matt Judon, Jahlani Tavai, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Raekwon McMillan, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, William Bradley-King and Oshane Ximines; defensive backs Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Alex Austin, Jaylinn Hawkins, Isaiah Bolden, Azizi Hearn, Marco Wilson, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler.
• Interceptions: Austin, Hawkins
• Pass breakups: Gonzalez, Hawkins, Hearn, Pettus
• Would-be sacks: Team 3, Judon, Wise, White,

Defensive linemen

• It bears repeating: Trysten Hill had a day. Should he make the team, the ex-Cowboys draft pick profiles as a backup nose tackle, but he practiced like an All-Pro force of nature Saturday.
• Hill didn’t even start team periods, with Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale again lining up in the middle with the first team. He combined with fellow defensive tackle Armon Watts on one run stuff.
• Again, the Patriots’ defensive front built a wall against the run. Combined, all three defensive units stuffed 33% of all hand-offs.
• Keion White was the only other D-lineman, aside from Hill, to record a sack and contribute on a run stuff.

Linebackers

• Another padded practice, another full day from Matt Judon. Last year, Judon abstained from these practices, but has since returned after making a mini mess at Monday’s session.
• It took two snaps for Judon to make an impact during 11-on-11s, setting a strong edge to force a run stuff early in practice. He later added a sack.
• Outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings also notched a run stuff, a nice break from what has been a quiet camp for him.
• Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai continue to start most 11-on-11 periods, with Bentley manning the middle and Tavai flexing between inside and outside linebacker.

Defensive backs

• The carousel continues in the defensive backfield. Several corners — Jonathan Jones, Marco Wilson, Isaiah Bolden and Azizi Hearn — rotated opposite Christian Gonzalez in team periods.
• Hearn had the roughest go, allowing three catches on five targets, plus his pass breakup. Wilson didn’t allow a catch, while Bolden and Jones each yielded one, and Jones took snaps at free safety for a third straight practice.
• The good news: Gonzalez looked more like himself, breaking up the only target in isolation he saw all afternoon; a pass intended for Jalen Reagor.
• Brenden Schooler, a third-year special teamer, appeared to be at fault on a coverage bust that allowed Joe Milton to hit a touchdown pass in 7-on-7s.

Special teams

• Joey Slye isn’t bowing out. The veteran journeyman drilled a field goal longer than 50 yards to cap Maye’s initial two-minute drill and went 5-for-5 overall, while Chad Ryland finished 3-of-4 with a missed 39-yarder.
• So far in camp, Ryland remains ahead at 20-of-22 on field goal attempts, while Slye stands at 19-of-23.
• Kick returners: Jalen Reagor, DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, K.J. Osborn, Isaiah Bolden
• Kickoff team: Ryland/Slye, Brenden Schooler, Kyle Dugger, Anfernee Jennings, Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai, Jaylinn Hawkins, Kevin Harris, Raekwon McMillan, Marco Wilson, Javon Baker
• Punt returners: Reagor, Douglas, Polk, Osboron, Bolden
• Punt team: punter Bryce Baringer, long snapper Joe Cardona, Schooler, Tavai, Hawkins, McMillan, Harris, Bolden, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Oshane Ximines, Mikey Victor
• Bolden’s addition to the returners group is notable because he led college football (FBS and FCS) with a 36.9 yards per return average in 2021.

Extra points

• The Patriots are off Sunday and will return to practice Monday at 11 a.m.
• DeMario Douglas, Kyle Dugger, Daniel Ekuale, Hunter Henry, Layden Robinson and Oshane Ximines met with reporters after practice.

Originally Published: August 3, 2024 at 4:36 p.m.