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Although TCU Horned Frogs rookie wide receiver Josh Boyce did not participate in drills, he was present at OTAs but is still nursing a foot injury after breaking a bone at the Combine. We won’t get to see how Boyce fits into the Patriots and his ability downfield until minicamps, but even then it’s definitely only a raw indicator.

Both tight end Jake Ballard and middle linebacker Dane Fletcher are headed for key roles next season as backups, and both players are coming off of ACL tears. Ballard reportedly showed no ill effects yesterday and looked solid catching the ball, and that’s what we need from Ballard as the No. 3 tight end. With Aaron Hernandez not participating in drills, Ballard was the team’s top tight end yesterday and holds an important role in case anything happens to Gronk (or Hernandez, for that matter). He’s a solid TE, and it’s incredible to think that he is the Patriots No. 3 TE.

Fletcher looked good yesterday and confirmed that he feels fine, so things are great on his end. He is a key backup linebacker for the Patriots and should be able to get plenty of time on special teams and on passing downs, as Brandon Spikes still hasn’t figured out how to hold his own in coverage.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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Gronk obviously just had surgery on his left forearm yesterday, while Edelman is also nursing an injury. Meanwhile, Brandon Spikes is not going to participate in voluntary workouts, because he feels like he is better off working out on his own (completely understandable). Spikes has been quiet heading into his contract year, but this definitely isn’t a case of Spikes trying to leverage himself against the Patriots. He will be back with the team for minicamp in mid-June, so keep your eyes peeled for Spikes next month.

Brandon Bolden’s absence is the surprise of the four, and it is interesting to hear that the second-year running back is not participating. NESN’s Luke Hughes reports that the former Ole Miss star is out today due to an injured left foot. If you click on the piece linked to NESN, you’ll see pictures that Hughes found of Bolden in a walking boot on his left foot. The photo was found on his fiancee’s Instagram, as he was in Louisiana over the weekend.

Devin McCourty, Josh Boyce, and Aaron Hernandez are three notable players recovering from minor injuries and were on the field but did not participate in drills, per ESPN Boston.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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Patriots owner Robert Kraft talked about Gronkowski’s surgery and exuded confidence on the matter, “We were told it was as good a report as we could hope for.”

Cornerback Aqib Talib decided to re-sign with the New England Patriots on a one-year deal worth $5 million this offseason, which was an absolute steal for the Patriots considering the fears that Talib would get a big contract elsewhere and also considering that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie received the same deal from the Denver Broncos. Talib saw a drier market than expected due to an overflow of free agent CBs (such as new Miami Dolphins corner Brent Grimes), and a big 2013 season from Talib would showcase better consistency and yield bigger results for the Pats CB in free agency.

Talib spoke to the media today and said of staying in New England, via the Boston Herald, “It’s a great organization, a great team,” Talib said. ”This is where I wanted to be. Definitely, I feel like I fit in.”

One more from Talib, ”This is a great organization, a great team, great teammates.”

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.