New England Patriots offensive lineman Brian Waters' absence from OTAs, mini-camp and the team's locker room might have less to do with his contract situation and more to do with his desire to be close to his family in Texas, according to Shalize Manza Young of the Boston Globe.
The former Kansas City Chiefs guard was excused from OTAs and mini-camp by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, but when that absence extended into the preseason, it was believed that the Patriots' desire to restructure Water's deal from a base salary of $1.4 million to the veteran minimum might have been what was keeping him away.
Now it appears that the intensely private veteran might hasn't shown up because he doesn't want to leave his wife and five children. It's something he has struggled with throughout his career, even during his 10 years with the Chiefs. Belichick has been patient and acquiesced, excusing him from camp, but it would seem that the team's patience is wearing thin, as his nameplate was removed from the Patriots' locker room on Friday.
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