FOXBORO — Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne did not get to meet Ezekiel Elliott on the running back’s visit to Gillette Stadium on Saturday, but he’s well-versed in the All-Pro free-agent’s game.
“Great player,” Bourne said after training camp practice Sunday. “We’d love to have him.”
The Patriots’ running back depth is being tested early in training camp with Ty Montgomery “day to day” with an apparent leg injury. Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris, both 2022 draft picks, are the top backups behind Rhamondre Stevenson. J.J. Taylor is also in the mix.
The Patriots hosted free-agent running backs Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson on visits earlier this month.
Extra points
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he could see rookie defensive lineman Keion White playing three-technique defensive tackle, five-technique defensive end or as an edge defender this season and compared his potential role to that of veteran Deatrich Wise and 2022 draft pick Sam Roberts … With safeties coach Brian Belichick out of practice early in training camp with a rare coaching knee injury, safety Jalen Mills said cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino and defensive assistant V’Angelo Bentley have stepped up in the young coach’s absence. Bill Belichick said his youngest son has taken part in meetings but isn’t on the field and also noted that linebackers coach Steve Belichick, his eldest son, has coached safeties in the past … Patriots converted defensive lineman Bill Murray has been running with the top offense in right guard Mike Onwenu’s absence. “Nobody works harder than Bill Murray,” Bill Belichick said. “I mean, he’s an all-day, everyday worker.” Murray clearly loves his job. “Football is so much fun,” the dark horse candidate for a roster spot said after Sunday’s practice … Rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas has spent time watching film of his wide receivers coach Troy Brown and another Patriots legendary slot receiver Wes Welker. “I watch what they do, because they were successful. And I want to be successful.” Douglas said it’s always a hit in the wide receivers room when Coach Brown is playing a clip of himself and says, “You couldn’t do it like that.” Douglas has some Troy Brown to his game and has shown glimpses that he could eventually be next in line for that slot role in the Patriots offense.
