New England Patriots news: OTA no-shows could be significant

A few New England Patriots no-shows at this week’s voluntary OTA’s are more interesting, concerning, puzzling, whatever than some others and may be significant.

Now the NFL Players Association reportedly has discouraged players from attending voluntary sessions in-person for whatever reasons they may have.

Players have that right and the Association has the right to counsel them anyway it sees fit. No issues there.

Yet, who actually does or does not appear may be significant. Many may be being good soldiers in support of their association. Others may have different reasons.

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Whatever their reasons may be, there is room for interpretation as to what they may or may not mean.

Dont’a Hightower is a no show for the New England Patriots

It was vaguely alluded to in this space previously that Dont’a Hightower’s situation is less than clear. That means whether he will or will not return to the grind of football is a question that seems not to been answered as yet. This week, he’s been a no-show.

Hightower’s case is especially poignant for the team for a number of reasons. Let’s explore them.

First, Hightower is one of if not the Patriots best defensive player. He was missed last season and he’d be this season if he were not to play for whatever reason. He’d be a huge loss as was seen in 2020.

Second, Hightower opted out last season due to Covid-19. He may decide to do the same this season with the situation still lingering.

Third, Hightower will be entering his age 31 season. That’s not ancient but it is a bit long-in-the-tooth in the NFL age category especially at a knock-’em down position like a linebacker. Hightower has eight years and lots of miles on his body and after a year without the daily grind, he may have had enough of it.

Fourth, Hightower has had his share of injuries. At some point, players who are in that boat (and most will be) have to ponder whether they want to continue to take a pounding that could impact them the rest of their lives. Fifth, Hightower may just decide to retire and forego all that goes with being an NFL player.

These are all issues and there are likely others that enter into the equation. It will be of great significance to the defense if he retires or stays out for whatever reason. He’s the most important no-show.

Other no-shows who are significant

Other key players are not at OTA’s as reported by the Boston Herald. These include players like Devin McCourty, Stephon Gilmore, Matthew Judon, Kyle Van Noy, J.C. Jackson, Damien Harris, and offensive starting tackles Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown.

These decisions may just be solidarity issues with their Player’s Association. Most probably are. Yet, two are a bit troubling. Two important rookies are also missing.

Second-round pick, defensive tackle Christian Barmore, and fourth-round pick running back Rhamondre Stevenson, a much-needed big back also decided to skip OTA’s.

These two are more troubling since they need every opportunity to not only show what they can do on the field but to become part of the team as a whole. Any missed sessions would seem to be very important missed opportunities for those two rookies especially.

Again, hopefully, the reason is solidarity with the Association, or perhaps health-related concerns, and nothing else for them. Both can be key players for the New England Patriots in 2021 and any lost time whatsoever would seem to be of importance.

So, that’s a quick review of the absentees from the voluntary OTA’s for the New England Patriots. Hopefully, these don’t signal any longer-term issues for the Patriots, especially a situation in which Hightower and/or any of the other key veteran players retire.

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Meanwhile, the players in the OTA’s have a chance to show what they can do. We’ll see when the mandatory camps begin later on hopefully what the others can do, as well.

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