The Patriots spent Tuesday reshaping both ends of the roster as they get ready for Green Bay in Week 9, and the biggest move was the long-awaited activation of offensive tackle Marcus Bryant from injured reserve.
Bryant’s 21-day return window was set to expire Wednesday, so New England moved him onto the 53-man roster in time. The second-year tackle, a seventh-round pick last season, had been trending toward making the team in training camp before an ankle injury sent him to IR. The Patriots later designated him to return, and after three weeks back in practice, he’s now officially on the active roster.
He joins a tackle group that already includes Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover. Bryant is expected to give the Patriots another swing option on either side of the line. As a rookie, the Missouri product appeared in 12 games as a reserve and logged 19 offensive snaps and 56 special teams snaps.
To make room, New England released cornerback Kindle Vildor, who had been bouncing between the 53-man roster and the practice squad in his first season with the team. The 29-year-old had played in five games this year and posted six tackles, one pass breakup, a forced fumble and a special teams tackle. With Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis back from injury, Vildor’s role had shrunk mostly to special teams work, including 13 snaps in that phase against Miami in Week 8.
The Patriots still have one opening on the active roster, and that spot could go to fullback Reggie Gilliam or wide receiver Mack Hollins. Both are eligible to return from injured reserve this week.
New England also made a set of practice-squad moves after linebacker K.J. Britt signed with the Detroit Lions.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss first reported that the Patriots filled that opening by adding linebacker Elias Neal, who spent the early part of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams. Neal has played in 10 career games, started this season on the Rams’ practice squad, and was elevated for game days twice before being released on Oct.
A few hours later, the Patriots trimmed two more practice-squad players, releasing wide receiver Cameron Dorner and offensive guard Jake Kubas. Dorner was one of the first undrafted free agents New England signed in the spring and had a strong summer with the third-string offense before being cut after the preseason and brought back on the practice squad. Kubas, who spent the summer with the New York Giants, had been one of the depth options on the practice unit alongside Andrew Rupcich, Xavier Newman-Johnson and Lorenz Metz, but he was never elevated this season.
That leaves New England with two open practice-squad spots as it heads into its first practice of the week tomorrow afternoon.
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