Dominique Easley still aiming for Week 1

Patriots defensive lineman Dominique Easley will not play in tonight’s game against the Giants in week 4 of the pre-season. The rookie out of Florida is still recuperating from a torn ACL, which has left him on the sidelines for much of camp. Signs are positive however and Easley is still targeting a Week 1 return as the Patriots face the Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium.

Boston Herald:

Patriots first-round pick Dominique Easley will miss his fourth and final preseason game tomorrow night against the Giants at MetLife Stadium, according to a source.

While nothing is set in stone, the hope remains the defensive lineman will be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 7 in Miami. That's been the apparent plan all along.

With defensive linemen featured among cuts this week, including veteran Tommy Kelly and free agent acquisition Will Smith, Easley could be in for a larger role than originally expected when he was drafted with the 29th pick in May. The team will no doubt be eager to see some of the first-step quickness that had the Seahawks clambering for him with their own pick.

Week 1 could also see the return of tight-end Rob Gronkowski from his own knee injury sustained against the Browns in 2013.

Photo by Kim Klement/USA Today Sports

Follow me on Twitter @ThorntonStuart

Read more of my work here