PATRIOTS JOURNAL: Harry healthy and raring to go

N’Keal Harry was behind.

Everyone saw that last season when the then-rookie receiver missed the majority of training camp, three preseason games and then the first eight weeks of the regular season. That circumstance would it make it difficult on any first-year player never mind a wide receiver trying to get on the same page with Tom Brady.

Harry agrees that his rookie season didn’t go as planned. However, the 22-year-old just [...]

N’Keal Harry was behind.

Everyone saw that last season when the then-rookie receiver missed the majority of training camp, three preseason games and then the first eight weeks of the regular season. That circumstance would it make it difficult on any first-year player never mind a wide receiver trying to get on the same page with Tom Brady.

Harry agrees that his rookie season didn’t go as planned. However, the 22-year-old just finished up his second training camp on a healthy note. He now heads into the 2020 season as a projected starting receiver and is ecstatic to start this season.

"It feels great just being able to build that momentum throughout training camp and keep it going into the season. Really not having any setbacks," Harry said. "It feels great and I'm super excited to get this season started, and I'm just ready to do anything I can to help this team win."

Harry heads into Week 1 with Julian Edelman, Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski as the Patriots receivers. There’s not a lot of experience at that position, which is why the coaching staff is likely hoping that Harry will take a big leap in his second NFL season.

Harry showed some flashes last year, but finished with only 12 receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns. On Sunday, he admitted that it was hard to get going physically after being out of football for months in 2019.

"Yeah, definitely. I didn't feel like I was playing catch-up mentally as much, but definitely when I got out on the field it was just kind of hard to get in that groove because everybody else kind of got all of that out at the beginning of the season," Harry said. "So for me, it was just a little bit harder to get going, but that's still no excuse. I'm just looking forward to this year and looking forward to playing my role and helping this team."

It’s clear that Harry will get every opportunity to succeed. He knows it’s up to him to take advantage of it.

"I'm just super excited," Harry said. "Just getting this season started, it's been a long offseason. I've had a chance to prepare for this so I'm really looking forward to it."

Heading in the right direction

Sony Michel’s offseason got off to a slow start due to surgery to correct a foot injury. That caused the running back to miss the first eight days of training camp. It also allowed backup running back Damien Harris to grab the spotlight and make many people wonder if Michel was close to losing his starting job.

But that didn’t last. Harris is currently dealing with a hand injury and it’s unlikely he’ll be ready to play in the Patriots Week 1 matchup against Miami.

That brings us back to Michel. The third-year running back could once again start for the Pats. That’s if he’s physically ready to do so after a late start. On Sunday, Michel said he feels like he’s getting better and improving.

"I would say I am in the best position possible right now to be able to go into Game 1 and be able to perform as best as I can," Michel said. "The coaching staff, the training staff has done a great job preparing me for this opportunity. All I can do is go out there and give it all I have."

Michel said that he hasn’t caught up after the time he missed this summer. However, with Harris missing every practice since last week, there are a lot of reps for Michel to take in practice next to Rex Burkhead and James White.

"I would just say I am feeling a day better," Michel said. "Every day is a work in progress. Every day is a day to get better for me. Beginning of the season, you’re never going to feel like you’re at the best shape. So for me, I am just working to get better. I feel good. I am just going to keep trying to build from there."

Practice squad update

The Patriots kicking competition is back on.

On Sunday, the Patriots put together their first 16-man practice squad of 2020. The team signed 15 players, including rookie Justin Rohrwasser and veteran Nick Folk.

Both kickers were cut on Saturday. For now, Rorhwasser, the team’s fifth-round pick, and Folk will compete in practice for the Patriots kicking job.

Under new NFL rules due to COVID-19, the Pats can elevate two practice squad players to the game roster every weekend, so it’s possible they could promote Folk or Rohrwasser for their opener against Miami. Rohrwasser got off to a rough start in camp due to a lower-body injury. He appears healthy now and it remains to be seen if he can beat out the veteran, who hit 82.4% of his field goals last season.

Both Folk and Rohrwasser were at practice on Sunday along with 13 other practice squad additions: running back J.J. Taylor, fullback Paul Quessenberry, defensive lineman Rashod Berry, receiver Isaiah Zuber, defensive tackle Xavier Williams, defensive lineman Nick Thurman, cornerback D’Angelo Ross, cornerback Myles Bryant, tight end Jake Burt, receiver Devin Ross, linebacker Terez Hall, linebacker Cassh Maluia and defensive tackle Bill Murray.

Among that group, Maluia was the Patriots sixth-round pick in April and had a nice camp. Quessenberry is also a great story as he spent the last four years in the Navy.

The 16th and final member of the Patriots practice squad will be receiver Mason Kinsey, a star at Division III Berry College where he caught 203 total passes for 3,343 yards and 50 touchdowns. The receiver spent this summer with Tennessee Titans before being cut on Saturday.

The Patriots can use injured reserve to open up roster spots. It wouldn’t be a surprise if that happens with someone like Beau Allen, who missed all of camp with an injury.

Allen was absent on Sunday along with receiver Olszewski and running back Harris.

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ