Patriots training camp notebook: Injuries continue to pile up

Following an off-day on Sunday after their second preseason game, the New England Patriots returned to the practice field on Monday.

Here’s what went down on lower practice field in front of the New Balance Athletics Center.

Duration: ca. 2 hours (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET)

Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in the high 70s

The Patriots returned to wearing full pads as work transitioned back into the red zone. Inside the 20 remains an area of focus for the team after struggling their last season — while Mike Vrabel also noted their red zone performance in the second joint practice against the Eagles was not their best.

Working on the lower practice field for the first time this summer, the grass playing surface and footing was an issue for many players.

“We haven’t practice there in a minute,” Rhamondre Stevenson said. “I know we were all slipping. We need to find our footing down there.”

Returnee: CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Channing Canada (red non-contact jersey)

PUP/NFI: ED Harold Landry III, S Brenden Schooler

As Mike Vrabel noted, the Patriots had a “good list of guys” working through injuries after their second preseason game. That included safety Craig Woodson, who left Thursday’s last practice early, and punter Bryce Baringer who suffered an injury in the preseason game — leading to the team signing veteran Matt Haack. With the team also adding offensive lineman Jack Conley, two corresponding moves will need to be made.

With the bad footing on the field, running back TreVeyon Henderson spent time with the training staff looking at his right foot/ankle after slipping on a cut. Henderson did not return to practice.

In a positive development, cornerback Christian Gonzalez returned on Monday and was a full participant.

Mondre’s minute: Ending practice with 55 seconds on the clock and the ball at the 35-yard line, it was the Rhamondre Stevenson show for the top offense. After catching a pass in the flat to beat a blitz, Drake Maye‘s next pass went right back to the running back on a wheel route down the left sideline — which he hauled in over his shoulder in the back corner of the end zone with linebacker Robert Spillane tight in coverage.

Even before Henderson’s injury, Stevenson continues to operate as the team’s top running back and has had an overall impressive summer.

“I feel great. Probably one of my healthier training camps. My body feels fresh,” Stevenson said.

Van Roten’s ramp up: After signing last week, veteran lineman Greg Van Roten did not take part of team periods in joint practices with the Eagles. On Monday, the Patriots upped Van Roten’s workload as he mixed in at both guard spots and center with the first-team offense. He impressed in 1-on-1s and also saw plays at center with Tommy DeVito‘s unit, where had one low snap.

Van Roten projects as New England‘s top interior backup next to Ben Brown once he returns from injury. With injuries impacting the backup offensive line, the second unit largely featured: James Hudson, Darrian Dalcourt, Jacob Rizy, Joe Michalski, and Caleb Lomu from left to right.

Saunders’ strong summer: Safety John Saunders Jr. added another interception to his summer total on Monday as he picked off Tommy DeVito to end the quarterback’s end-of-game drive. The pick marked Saunders fifth of the summer (four on the practice fields). Saunders’ play style is a strong fit for what the Patriots look for at the safety position and he is trending towards a 53-man roster spot.

“John definitely has the most turnovers this camp. He’s been balling out of control,” fellow safety Kevin Byard said. “He’s a ballhawk.”

• Eli Raridon and Kevin Byard were full participants after not being present for Saturday’s preseason game.

• After spending the last several weeks at guard, James Hudson was back at tackle on Monday. Hudson’s preseason tape from Saturday was better than live viewing at guard.

• A.J. Brown was active in the red zone and scored on a got-to-have-it play to end the day.

• Quintayvious Hutchins was notably in the backfield on two occasions with the second-team defense. Hutchins then was on the first-team defense side during scout team work.

Eli Raridon and Kevin Byard were full participants after not being present for Saturday’s preseason game.

After spending the last several weeks at guard, James Hudson was back at tackle on Monday. Hudson’s preseason tape from Saturday was better than live viewing at guard.

A.J. Brown was active in the red zone and scored on a got-to-have-it play to end the day.

Quintayvious Hutchins was notably in the backfield on two occasions with the second-team defense. Hutchins then was on the first-team defense side during scout team work.

The Patriots will hold their final training camp practice on Tuesday ahead of their preseason finale on Thursday in Cleveland. Practice will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf set to speak beforehand for his annual training camp press conference.