Patriots training camp: Tom Brady sits out Day 2

FOXBORO – By the time Tom Brady walked out on the practice field, all of his teammates were there – dressed and ready to go. Meanwhile, the quarterback was wearing sneakers and light workout gear. With no helmet in sight, it became obvious that Day 2 of training camp would be a day off for Brady.

Brady spent the majority of practice following the offense around. He helped the ball boys on several occasions and threw a little bit. At one point, Brady held a short side [...]

FOXBORO – By the time Tom Brady walked out on the practice field, all of his teammates were there – dressed and ready to go. Meanwhile, the quarterback was wearing sneakers and light workout gear. With no helmet in sight, it became obvious that Day 2 of training camp would be a day off for Brady.

Brady spent the majority of practice following the offense around. He helped the ball boys on several occasions and threw a little bit. At one point, Brady held a short side session with receiver Maurice Harris. Brady also joined the offense when they were forced to run a lap in practice.

With Brady out, the Patriots defense attempted to feast upon Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham. The defense started strong before the two backup quarterbacks finished on high notes. Hoyer went 10/13 in full-team drills. Stidham finished 9/12 with an interception.

Stidham had a strong finish on Friday. Earlier in practice, the rookie went 1-for-4 in 4-on-4s and then 2/6 with two interceptions in 3-on-3s. Stidham also went 2/3 in 7-on-7s. The fourth-round pick went a perfect 5-of-5 in the final 11-on-11 session of the day. He made multiple impressive throws.

Hoyer had a solid day as well. He went 4/5 in 7-on-7s, 5/6 in 4-on-4s and 3/7 with an interception in 3-on-3s.

"It benefits me immensely because I get to run the plays, be in the huddle, be the one that gets guys going – leadership," Hoyer said of Brady's day off. "All those roles where maybe if he’s out there, I’m only in there half the time or quarterback of the time, so I really embrace those days, cherish them and go out and try to do the best I can."

Harris continues to stick out. The veteran receiver led all wide outs with four catches in 11-on-11s. Tight end Matt LaCosse also made a nice leaping grab.

Obi Melifonwu finished with two interceptions – one off a Terrence Brooks deflection. Duke Dawson and Devin McCourty both had interceptions in the 3-on-3 period. Stephon Gilmore continues to look dominant. He deflected the only pass that came his way on Friday.

David Andrews and Martellus Bennett were absent again. Nate Ebner, Sony Michel, Demaryius Thomas, Ken Webster and Cole Croston remain on the physically unable to perform list. Julian Edelman and Yodny Cajuste are on the non-football injury list.

Deatrich Wise was present at practice wearing his helmet, but didn’t participate. Isaiah Wynn started practice before working out in a different location with Wise. Rookie Byron Cowart left practice early on Friday with an apparent injury.

Next up, the Patriots practice in full pads on Saturday. Gates open at 8 a.m. and practice starts at 9:15 a.m.