The New England Patriots' first round draft pick will finish the 2014 preseason without taking an "NFL" snap.
According to The Boston Herald, defensive lineman Dominique Easley won't participate in the Patriots' preseason finale against the New York Giants, but the team is hopeful he'll be a go for the season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Easley is nursing a recovered ACL, which he tore last September.
"The focus has been to build strength around his knee to the point where it's again 100 percent healthy, especially considering the team's investment," the Herald's Jeff Howe wrote. "Easley was viewed as a much higher draft prospect before the injury caused him to fall to the Patriots with the 29th pick, and they understood the ramifications of his rehab schedule at the time."Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
