FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — One of the most significant upgrades for the Patriots offense this offseason was at tight end with the additions of free agents Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.
Their production on their previous teams — 121 catches and 10 touchdowns between them over the past two seasons for the Titans and Chargers — instantly conjured up comparisons to the “Boston TE Party” tandem of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez that the Patriots had from 2010 to 2012.
But for the second time this summer Smith and Henry’s integration into New England’s system has been slowed by injury after Henry left the Patriots’ first practice of the week Sunday with a shoulder injury and subsequently sat out workouts on Monday and Tuesday.