FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Dominique Easley, the New England Patriots' 2014 first-round draft choice who had his rookie season cut short in December because of a knee injury, was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list Monday.
Easley, who tore both ACLs in college at Florida, had previously said he hoped to be ready for the start of training camp after sitting out all offseason practices. The Patriots hope he can provide an explosive interior pass rush, and have been managing his health the last seven months.
Easley reportedly did not require surgery this offseason.
Players on the active/PUP list can come off at any time. Their status reflects that they aren't yet fully cleared to participate.
In addition to Easley, linebackers Dane Fletcher and Chris White; receivers Brandon LaFell and Matthew Slater; and defensive linemen Chris Jones and Vince Taylor were placed on the active/PUP list.
Noticeably absent from the list were defensive end Chandler Jones and linebackers Jerod Mayo (patellar tendon) and Dont'a Hightower (labrum).
Meanwhile, veteran quarterback Matt Flynn was placed on the active/non-football injury list and can come off at any time.
Patriots rookies reported to camp July 23, while quarterbacks and players coming off injuries also reported early. The rest of the team's veterans report Wednesday.
