What happened: New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced Tuesday that second-round draft pick Gabe Jacas underwent an offseason medical procedure and has not been present at the team facility. While the specific nature of the procedure was not disclosed, reports indicate it may be related to a hamstring injury that limited his pre-draft workouts at Illinois.
Why it matters: The absence of the 55th overall pick leaves the Patriots thin at outside linebacker during mandatory minicamp, especially with veteran Harold Landry III also rehabbing a knee injury. Jacas is notably the only member of the team's 2026 draft class who remains unsigned as he works toward a return to the field.
By the numbers: Jacas was selected 55th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft after a standout career at Illinois. He is the only unsigned rookie on the current Patriots roster, which recently signed first-round selection Caleb Lomu to an $18.9 million contract.
What to watch: The team expects Jacas to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. Observers will also be watching for progress on his rookie contract negotiations as the offseason program concludes.