New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, stands on the field during an NFL football practice, Monday, June 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots opened their mandatory three-day minicamp Monday with their starting quarterback back from an injury, but one of their key cogs on defense was noticeably absent.
Cam Newton participated without restriction after missing the team’s final three voluntary workouts last week with a hand injury. But Stephon Gilmore, the team’s top cornerback and the 2019 NFL defensive player of the year, was one of several players missing.