Patriots reportedly re-signing QB Cody Kessler to fill open roster spot; team will need to make another move to activate N’Keal Harry
The Patriots are bringing back quarterback Cody Kessler, which means they’ll have to remove someone else from the roster to make room for N’Keal Harry.
Cody Kessler of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball in the first quarter of a preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on August 15, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesBy Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Per Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are re-signing quarterback Cody Kessler just in time to help them get ready for the Baltimore Ravens. Their roster sat at 52 players before the signing, so Kessler gets them back to 53.
According to Rapoport, Kessler had been staying in the New England area because of the possibility that they'd bring him back.
The significance of the signing pertains not so much to the quarterback position, but to the wide receivers. Rookie N'Keal Harry is now eligible to be activated and possibly play on Sunday at the Baltimore Ravens, but the Patriots would have to remove someone from the 53-man roster in order to make room for him.
If the Patriots don't activate Harry before Week 10, they will have to keep him on injured reserve. This would end Harry's season and burn one of the Pats' two IR return designations. The second is likely to be used on left tackle Isaiah Wynn, who is eligible to begin practicing this week and can play as soon as Week 12 against the Cowboys.
Kessler helped ease the workloads of both Tom Brady and backup QB Jarrett Stidham earlier in the season. He's presumably back to do the same thing as the team hits the hardest portion of their 2019 schedule. Kessler could be a more reliable option than Stidham to simulate opposing quarterbacks at this point in their careers.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
