Caleb Lomu said he’s taking a learning-first approach as his rookie training camp swings between decisive wins and tough losses, Boston.com’s Conor Ryan reported on Aug. 11, 2026. The former University of Utah tackle, selected 28th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, has worked at both tackle spots while the New England Patriots sort through line reps at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
“Everyone that is out on this field belongs to be here, and so I’m not going to win every rep. I’m either winning, or I’m learning.”
Caleb Lomu: How he has performed in training camp
Lomu’s camp has been described as “up-and-down,” with clear one-on-one wins at times and difficult matchups at others. Coaches and teammates see a rookie working through the expected peaks and valleys of adapting to NFL speed and technique.
At meaningful practices in Foxborough, Lomu often used one-on-one drills to test technique and see what works against established edge rushers. He framed reps as feedback rather than final judgments on readiness.
Joint practice with the Colts: reps and positional work
During the Aug. 11 joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts, Lomu split time at tackle. According to Boston.com, he took snaps at left tackle with the second unit and also saw work at right tackle when veteran Morgan Moses was limited in practice. The live work offered a testing ground for side-to-side adjustments.
Switching sides required Lomu to alter footwork and hand placement; he described the change as a technical challenge rather than a different position in purpose. The joint practice provided reps against NFL competition to evaluate those adjustments.
Competition for tackle reps: Marcus Bryant and the depth picture
Practices this week also showed pressure from other young linemen. Reporting notes that 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant earned first-team reps late last week, creating competition for Lomu at left tackle and influencing how coaches are distributing snaps.
That movement in reps reflects practice impressions, not roster decisions. Any reading that Bryant has definitively leapfrogged Lomu should be treated as interpretation of recent activity rather than a confirmed depth-chart change.
Lomu on technique and daily goals
Lomu emphasized an incremental, coaching-driven approach: focus on one detail per day and build from there. He called out tight hands and consistent punch timing as daily priorities, and noted work on kick-slide mechanics when moving between left and right tackle.
He described taking “one thing off the list every day” to ensure technique carries into live drills at game speed. That process aligns with standard veteran-to-rookie development in camp environments.
Competition for right tackle reps and roster implications
The Patriots are evaluating Lomu’s versatility as they consider right tackle depth behind veteran Morgan Moses. Reporting frames this as part of normal succession planning and testing rather than a confirmed plan to replace Moses.
Practice reps offer snapshots but not guarantees. Any projection that Lomu will assume a particular regular-season role should be labeled interpretation; coaches can and often do change assignments after preseason action and further practice sessions.
What to watch next
- Which unit Lomu lines up with during full-team periods in the next practice days.
- Preseason game snaps distribution among Lomu, Marcus Bryant and veteran tackles.
- Any continued positional cross-training that suggests a long-term plan for left or right tackle.
Source attribution and next steps
This report is grounded in Boston.com coverage by Conor Ryan published Aug. 11, 2026. The original story lays out the joint-practice observations and coach/rookie quotes that inform the cautious takeaways above.
Original reporting: Why Patriots rookie Caleb Lomu isn’t fretting over up-and-down training camp by Conor Ryan, Boston.com, Aug. 11, 2026.
Next steps: Watch upcoming practice reports and preseason snaps for clearer indications of how coaches will settle the tackle rotation.
