The New England Patriots returned to the practice fields on Sunday after a day off on Saturday following their first preseason game.
As they start a big week of practice -- which includes a joint session with the Philadelphia Eagles -- the team rocked full pads with referees on deck for the first time this summer.
Here's what went down throughout the entire session.
Absent: DL Christian Barmore, WR Kendrick Bourne (PUP), G Cole Strange (PUP), LB Sione Takitaki (PUP)
Limited: LB Joshua Uche, WR Tyquan Thornton, LS Joe Cardona, DB Joshuah Bledsoe
No major surprises on New England's absence list after they got out of their preseason opener relatively healthy. The only new addition was DE John Morgan, who watched practice with a leg sleeve.
In the injury department, Hunter Henry left to the athletic training shed with a trainer halfway through practice and never returned.
QB snaps: Following Thursday's preseason opener -- in which Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye received just one offensive series of work -- Jerod Mayo said his top two QBs would receive more work this week.
He stuck true to his word, as Brissett and Mayo dominated the reps in team periods today. In 11-on-11s, Brissett received 23 reps while Maye saw 26, while both saw 10 plays in 7-on-7s. Neither Bailey Zappe or Joe Milton saw any 7-on-7 action, while Zappe played just three snaps to Milton's two in 11s.
Maye & Jacoby: In a busy day of work, it was another promising day for the rookie QB. After starting hot in 1-on-1s, Maye continued his success in 11s. His first period included two strong throws on a corner to Mitchell Wilcox, who could not haul it in, and a throw on the run to Ja'Lynn Polk on a play-action boot.
Later in the day, Maye's first attempt in a red area session was tipped in the air and intercepted by Armon Watts, but the rookie responded by tossing a 20-yard touchdown to La'Michael Pettway on a corner the following play. Maye then ended the day with the lone one-minute drive, where he got the offense into field goal range after living in the underneath and not throwing an incompletion. Overall, the rookie continued to make good decisions (including several throwaways) and show off the physical tools. It's time to get him reps with the starting offense.
As for Brissett, it was a sharp day for the veteran after a few early misses. He ended the day 10-for-12 in 11s (one completion perhaps a sack in live time) connecting multiple times with Douglas and Thornton. Brissett's day then came to a close with two of his best passes in the red area -- hitting Jalen Reagor on a corner in the end zone before rolling right and finding K.J. Osborn in the back of the end zone.
Pop returns: DeMario Douglas ditched his red non-contact jersey on Sunday and continued to be a difference maker in New England's passing attack. On Brissett's first period of the day, the QBs first three completions all went to Douglas over the middle of the field. Douglas then added another catch from Brissett in both 11s and 7s before connecting with Maye twice in 7s.
Douglas also just missed connecting on an explosive slot fade and drew a pass interference penalty as he continues to be New England's best, most consistent receiver this entire offseason.
Kicking continues: The summer competition rolled on for Chad Ryland and Joey Slye on Sunday, this time with a noticeable twist. As each kicker lined up for their attempt, players and coaches surrounded them to make noise and cause a distraction -- all while the usual music blared in the background.
Working between 37 and 52 yards, Ryland made 2-of-4 pushing his 48- and 52-yard attempts wide right. Slye, meanwhile, hit 3-of-4 with his lone miss going wide left from 48 yards. Slye also added a 53-yard attempt in a hurry-up situation.
Updating the entire summer tally, Ryland stills hold a slight lead making 28-of-33 compared to Slye's 27-of-33.
Other notes:
New England will be back on the practice fields on Monday in their final session before the Eagles come to town. Practice is set to start at 11:00 a.m. with gates opening an hour beforehand.