Report: Patriots Veteran ‘Knocked Out’ in Tough Joint Practice

The New England Patriots had their joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles. It was all good until Matt LaCosse received a hard hit from Philadelphia’s Derek Barnett. The Eagles got the best of the session, but this hit gave us a reason to worry.

Andrew Callahan from The Boston Herald said LaCosse may have lost consciousness after the hit.

#Patriots TE Matt LaCosse just got de-cleated by #Eagles DE Derek Barnett on a short hospital ball from Cam Newton that led him right into the hit. He may have been knocked out.

LaCosse was down for 30 seconds and is walking off with members of the medical staff.

— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 16, 2021

Bob Grotz from Pro Football Report says LaCosse was knocked out from the hit.

First casualty of joint practice is Patriots TE Matt Lacosse (6-6, 255), who was temporarily knocked out on a big hit. Looked like Eagles Derek Barnett

— Bob Grotz (@BobGrotz) August 16, 2021

Evan Lazar from CNLS added more. He is convinced that this hit was a bit too much for the session. Teams were practicing after all.

Derek Barnett just laid out Matt LaCosse on a shallow crosser. LaCosse is up and walking off. Definitely a little much for practice by Barnett. #Patriots

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2021

Greg Bedard from Boston Sports Journal was among the first to point the finger at Cam Newton. He called this throw a “buddy pass,” saying that it put the tight end in a vulnerable position.

LaCosse laid out by Barnett on a buddy pass by Newton. Led him right into it. LaCosse stayed down. McDaniels looked pissed

— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) August 16, 2021

We can’t say who was responsible for this. Was anyone responsible for this hit?

Patriots fans got worried following the joint practice with the Eagles

Reporters asked Newton about this during the session following the joint practice.

Of course, Newton’s regret was obvious.

“Well, those throws, you gotta just go back and look at em,” Newton said in response to the question about the play when LaCosse was injured. “No one wants to see their teammate get carted off, or lying down on the ground after a play. By no means did I intend to have any kind of disaster on that play.”

Is LaCosse well at the moment? Hopefully, he will be able to join the team in the upcoming period. If he misses some time, the Patritos will deal with a major depth issue at tight end.

Hunter Henry is missing time due to shoulder injury. Head coach Bill Belichick wanted to run two tight ends sets with Henry and Jonnu Smith.

Devin Asiasi missed time due to COVID-19 and LaCosse suffered a big blow. Even Smith had injuries in training camp.

Cam Newton and Mac Jones need a strong tight end unit to help the team win games. If these tight ends don’t return on time, Belichick will get a serious headache.