SerpApi.Org
The New England Patriots shared a video of the rookies arriving for training camp on Tuesday. There was hope that there would be some form of news surrounding second-round pick edge rusher Gabe Jacas, who has yet to sign his rookie contract.
The day came and went with nothing but crickets.
Jacas still remains unsigned, and there is even greater uncertainty surrounding his chances of playing in his first NFL season. When commenting on the situation, NFL insider Albert Breer didn't rule out a potential redshirt year for Jacas, who missed all of the spring work on the field and in the classroom. It's a worst-case scenario for a Patriots team that greatly needs a pass-rushing boost.
"Rookies do generally show up when they're not signed in the spring. That's normal," Breer said on NBC Sports Boston. "And he didn't do that. When you aren't signed and it's the start of training camp, you don't show up. This moves to another stage, and I think you're inching closer now to the idea that maybe this winds up being a redshirt year for him.
"And we'll see what happens with his injury situation and everything else. This is a position of need. I'd say of the guys in that draft class, this was probably the guy that we were looking at as potentially having the highest instant impact, and for him not to just miss the on-field time, but the classroom time in the spring, and now this is still unsettled going into training camp would indicate that it's only going to get harder and harder for him to contribute as a rookie."
An update back in June, via ESPN's Mike Reiss, touched on the concerns with Jacas' injury situation. One "high-ranking official" guessed that the Patriots could be seeking financial protection in the contract. That might ultimately be where the impasse lies between the two sides.
And so far, that gap hasn't shown any signs of closing.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: NFL insider shares concerning update on Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas
