Patriots Announce Surprising Roster Moves Before Training Camp

The Patriots didn’t have a single absence as they reported to training camp Tuesday, but they will when taking the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium on Wednesday.

New England had some pre-practice housekeeping to take care of.

Antonio Gibson was placed on the non-football injury list (NFI), per the wire. Kendrick Bourne, Cole Strange, Jake Andrews and Sione Takitaki were placed on the physically unable to perform list (PUP), in addition, shortening the number of participants for the club’s first practice.

Gibson’s placement on NFI was somewhat surprising, as he participated in voluntary and organized workouts earlier in the offseason. It’s likely he suffered some sort of injury during the summer break, meaning he was unable to take/pass a physical Tuesday.

Bourne, Strange, Andrews and Takitaki’s additions to PUP were less surprising, with all four missing time during the spring. Bourne and Strange each are coming off season-ending knee injuries, with Jerod Mayo giving short updates early in the day Tuesday.

“He’s been progressing, and we’ll see what it looks like,” Mayo said of Bourne.

“He’s been in here everyday, I don’t even think he really took a break,” Mayo said when asked about Strange. “He’s trying to get out there on the field, and I appreciate it. I’m not exactly sure what that looks like, but we’ll see how he progresses going forward.”

The Patriots did hold their conditioning tests Tuesday, which could be an explanation for some of the designations. Gibson, Bourne, Strange, Andrews and Takitaki are eligible to come off at any time.