FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots were without wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and tight end Aaron Hernandez at their final organized team activity on Thursday, which was held in helmets and shorts under overcast and mild conditions.

It was the first time Ochocinco or Hernandez had missed a practice open to the media in three weeks of organized team activities. The reasons for their absences were not immediately known.

Undrafted rookie tight end Brad Herman suffered what appeared to be a lower left leg injury during warmups and was carted off the field. With Rob Gronkowski and Daniel Fells also out for a third straight week, the Patriots were down to converted defensive end Alex Silvestro and newly-signed veteran Bo Scaife at tight end for Thursday's practice.

Scaife was noticeably winded after lagging behind the pack in two penalty laps with the offense during 11-on-11 work late in practice, and came off the field shortly thereafter, with trainers offering him water as he took a knee on the sideline.

Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert was on the field after being held out of organized team activities due to NFL graduation rules. Northwestern holds its graduation on June 15, but regardless, Ebert was practicing on Thursday.

Defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick was also not spotted on the practice fields, after practicing the last two weeks. Other players not practicing were linebacker Brandon Spikes, wide receiver Matthew Slater, guard Brian Waters, offensive lineman Markus Zusevics, defensive lineman Myron Pryor, and linebacker Tracy White.

Offensive linemen Logan Mankins (left knee) and Sebastian Vollmer (ankle) were part of a group of players rehabbing on the sidelines with trainers. It was the first time the pair of linemen have been spotted on the practice field this offseason. Also rehabbing were Gronkowski, White, Spikes, Slater, and Zusevics.

With organized team activities now concluded, the Patriots will hold a three-day mandatory minicamp next week.