Jonnu Smith expected to be ready for Patriots training camp

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After being unable to make it through mandatory minicamp in June, it seems as if Jonnu Smith will be ready for the New England Patriots’ training camp set to begin next week. According to a report by Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed, the veteran tight end should be good to go when the team hits the practice fields for the first time this summer.

Smith originally arrived in New England as an unrestricted free agent in March. Joining the organization on a four-year, $50 million contract, he will play a prominent role on a rebuilt tight end depth chart also featuring fellow offseason addition Hunter Henry.

The two were unable to see considerable action alongside one another during spring workouts, however. Smith did not participate during the voluntary portion of the offseason program and midway through the first mandatory minicamp practice had to leave the field because of an apparent hamstring issue.

Smith was present on all three minicamp days, but he was mostly relegated to spectator status. However, it looks as if he will be back to full participant again next week — which obviously is good news for a Patriots team that struggled to get consistent production out of its tight end group ever since Rob Gronkowski’s departure during the 2019 offseason. Last year, the group combined to catch only 18 passes for a combined 254 yards and one touchdown.

As a result of this, Smith and Henry were added in free agency. The two are part of a tight end group also featuring Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Matt LaCosse and Troy Fumagalli.