It’s still not known whether veteran guard Brian Waters will play in 2012, but it is known that he won’t be at the team’s mandatory minicamp.
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports that the Patriots have excused Waters from the three-day session, which coupled with his absence from voluntary workouts has served only to increase speculation that he will retired.
Coach Bill Belichick said only that Waters has been “excused for personal reasons.” (Frankly, I’m surprised he said that much.)
Last month, the Boston Herald reported that Waters still plans to play, following an initial season with New England in which he started every game.
The 12-year veteran has appeared in all but three games since the start of the 2001 season. If he retires, the Pats will be replacing at least 40 percent of their offensive line, given the retirement of left tackle Matt Light.