It’s test time for the Patriots defense with the Eagles coming to town - The Boston Globe (2024)

With all due respect to the Panthers, the next few days — which include a joint practice and a preseason game against the Eagles — should provide the first real rest of the summer for the Patriots, particularly for the defense.

The Eagles have an elite group of receivers led by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, both of whom topped 1,000 yards receiving last year. In addition, quarterback Jalen Hurts and newly acquired running back Saquon Barkley will push the Patriots defense on all three levels.

“They have a well-rounded team,” Covington said. “Up front. The running backs. The quarterback position. Same thing with the receivers. It’ll be good for our guys to have that level of competition to see who can fill those voids or help contribute to this defense this season.”

On the other side of the ball, the week should allow for a proper evaluation of the offense, particularly the passing game.

“We’ve obviously got stuff to clean up every day, but excited to get another team in here — a contending team — to see where we land,” said quarterback Jacoby Brissett. “I know it’ll be good work on both sides of the ball. I’m excited for that.”

“Looking forward to our first one,” said receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. “I can’t wait to go out there and compete.”

Covington covers it

Covington offered a show of support for Matthew Judon, who has been enmeshed in a contract dispute with the team this summer.

“He’s been the same for us,” Covington said. “I always stay out of all those [contract] conversations. For us and the defensive staff, he’s been Judon. He’s been Matt Judon. He’s been great in the classroom. He’s been great for us on the practice field.”

The coordinator talked about the day earlier in the summer when Judon left the field, returned briefly, and left again following a conversation with coach Jerod Mayo and others.

“I look at it like this: We all have bad days, right?” Covington said. “Unfortunately for him, his bad days will be on camera. Just like our bad days will be behind doors. He had a bad day, and that was it. Everybody got to see it.

“Other than that, the guy’s been who he’s been since we signed him a couple of years ago. I have nothing but respect and love for Judon, and what he can do and will do for this team.”

Covington also touched on the loss of defensive lineman Christian Barmore, who has been sidelined because of blood clot issues and faces an uncertain future.

“Christian is a big part of our defense,” he said. “Unfortunately, that happened, and our thoughts and prayers are with him. Just like any other injury that we have in football, it’s the next-man-up mentality, which is good for that room; we have the depth and the competition in that room to fill that void.”

Earlier in camp, Mayo said the defense was ahead of the offense. Covington, in his first full season as defensive coordinator, sounded like he appreciated the kind words, but he also acknowledged that can flip quickly.

“Every day we have to come out and act like we’ve done nothing,” he said. “That’s kind of like the mindset. A workers’ mentality. A blue-collar mentality. We have to earn everything every day.

“So what we did yesterday in practice doesn’t mean we bring that into today. What we do today, we can’t have the same mind-set when the Eagles come in here.

“It’s like a start-over mentality. Every practice. Every day. Every week. Every game.”

Mr. Outside, Mr. Inside

Get yourself someone who talks about you the way Drew Wilkins talks about Dont’a Hightower.

Wilkins, in his first season as outside linebackers coach, raved when asked what it’s been like to work alongside Hightower, who was named inside linebackers coach this offseason.

“I think as a coach the sky’s the limit for him,” said Wilkins, who referred to Hightower as “Mr. February” because of his Super Bowl highlights. “This guy is going to be a head coach in the NFL.

“He’s so smart. So gifted as a communicator. And understands the game at such a high level, which makes sense when you realize the defenses that he’s been in.

“He brings that enthusiasm. He brings that juice. This is a great coach. This is a superstar in the league that we’re all lucky to be around every day.”

Taking attendance

Tight end Hunter Henry was among the notables who weren’t spotted at the start of the workout, which ran 90 minutes and was not padded. Henry appeared to suffer some sort of injury Sunday and was taken back to the locker room on a golf cart . . . Barmore, cornerback Jonathan Jones, cornerback Shaun Wade, cornerback Marcus Jones, and safety Marte Mapu were all nonparticipants. The three players on the PUP list — wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, offensive lineman Cole Strange, and linebacker Sione Takitaki — were nonparticipants . . . Referees were in attendance for the second consecutive day, and weren’t shy when it came to throwing flags . . . Mayo laid into the defense twice during team drills, and the group ended up running a lap on both occasions . . . The Patriots re-signed running back Deshaun Fenwick. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent spent his college career at South Carolina and Oregon State, with 385 rushing attempts for 2,039 yards and 18 touchdowns. To make room for Fenwick, the Patriots released defensive end John Morgan . . . Gates will open for Tuesday’s joint practice at 9:30 a.m., and the workout is scheduled to begin at 10:30.

Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him @cpriceglobe.