FOXBORO -- Linebacker Dont’a Hightower, safety Duron Harmon, defensive tackle Alan Branch, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and kicker Stephen Gostkowski were the notably absent players from Thursday’s Patriots practice.
Hightower was at the facility, but it’s unclear why he didn’t participate. If there’s an injury, it’s not believed to be anything of concern.
Harmon had surgery on either his foot or ankle. He worked on his conditioning on the adjacent field and in the bubble during the practice.
Branch never participates in voluntary workouts but will be in attendance June 6-8 for mandatory minicamp and will report to Gillette for all contractual weigh-ins.