Patriots Keep Jose Ramirez Around As Another Roster Move Looms

In a strategic roster shuffle, the Patriots bring back Jose Ramirez to boost their practice squad, while releasing Jacob Rizy from the lineup.

After two weeks away, Jose Ramirez is back in the New England Patriots organization, and the roster shuffle to make it happen sent Jacob Rizy out of the practice squad.

The Patriots re-signed Ramirez to the practice squad on Monday and released Rizy to clear a spot in the 17-man group. ESPN’s Mike Reiss and Patriots on SI’s Ethan Hurwitz were first to report the moves coming out of the mini bye.

Ramirez, 27, first entered head coach Mike Vrabel’s orbit after the Philadelphia Eagles waived him at the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline in August. The 6-foot-2, 252-pound edge rusher impressed enough in preseason action to earn a promotion in late September. He appeared in two games on the active roster, making one tackle across 30 snaps on defense and special teams.

Once he cleared waivers, Ramirez went back to the practice squad in October. He was then released before the Patriots’ 26-19 AFC East win over the New York Jets.

A sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft at No. 196 overall, Ramirez played in four games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and finished with one quarterback hit. The former MAC Defensive Player of the Year came to the NFL by way of Arizona, Riverside City College and Eastern Michigan. He also spent part of 2025 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he had four tackles and one sack in three games before returning to the NFL on a futures contract in January.

Rizy, 24, had been brought back to the practice squad after injuries thinned New England’s interior line ahead of last week’s 30-24 loss to the Chicago Bears. The 6-foot-5, 306-pound rookie originally joined the scout team when it was formed and was let go in mid-September.

The Patriots signed Rizy as part of their undrafted class of 2026. He played 155 offensive snaps at center across three preseason games before being waived before cutdown day. A former second-team and first-team All-Ivy League selection, Rizy spent three years at Harvard and two at Florida State, starting 27 games while lining up at center, left guard, right guard and right tackle.

One 53-man roster spot remains open as a divisional matchup approaches.

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