Reports: Patriots To Lose OTA Sessions After Infringing NFL Offseason Rules

Just a few days into Phase 3 of the NFL offseason program, the Patriots have already lost two of their organized team practices.

Due to an offseason rule infraction, the NFL cancelled two of New England’s 10 scheduled organized team activities, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Reports: Patriots To Lose OTA Sessions After Infringing NFL Rules

The team stated on Wednesday that it was canceling the third session, which was initially slated for Thursday, after conducting their first two formal training exercises earlier this week. According to a report from ESPN, this OTA session and another one set for next Tuesday were snatched from New England.

The club, which has a number of new faces on the coaching staff and the roster, was scheduled to be seen by the media for the first time on the field.

According to Pro Football Talk, the precise infraction that resulted in the league depriving New England of two OTAs revolved on a 15-minute special teams meeting. One of the optional early offseason meetings was deemed illegal by the NFL Players Association since it was made public on the internal schedule.

By placing it on the formal schedule, that was deemed to fall under the “mandatory” category instead of it being optional in the eyes of the NFLPA.

The third stage of the offseason program, which allows for up to 10 OTAs, was now underway for the club. According to the CBA, neither pads nor contact are permitted during this phase of the offseason program. Not doing any tackling, blocking, etc. According to the most recent source from Pro Football Talk, this infraction had nothing to do with activity on the practice field.

The club will start its offseason routine on next Wednesday, rather than practicing on May 25 or May 30, according to a press announcement.

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