Dominque Easley Among Eight Patriots Placed On PUP Before Training Camp

The New England Patriots on Monday placed defensive tackle Dominique Easley and seven others on the list for the physically unable to perform.

Easley, who suffered a torn ACL in September 2013, told reporters at minicamp, “I don’t feel like (my knee) is where exactly I want it to be yet, but I think it’s getting there”. DE had a very quiet rookie campaign playing in just 11 games including two starts. With the addition of this years first round pick Malcolm Brown as well as defensive end/ outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard in free agency, Easley could see himself slide down the depth chart if both take advantage of their opportunities and play well while Easley is on the PUP list.

For now, linebackers Dont’a Hightower, Jerod Mayo and Jamie Collins, defensive end Chandler Jones, right tackle Sebastian Vollmer and defensive tackle Sealver Siliga have avoided the PUP list.

One more roster move made by the Patriots, according to the league’s transaction wire, was that the team placed reserve quarterback Matt Flynn on the non-football injury list. All but Collins sat out organized team activities this offseason.

All players on the NFI or PUP lists count against the 90-man active roster and can begin practicing any time.

The Patriots report to training camp Wednesday.