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Report: Patriots sign fullback Danny Vitale

The Patriots have added a fullback to their roster.

Nov 24, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers fullback Danny Vitale (45) in the game against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 24, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers fullback Danny Vitale (45) in the game against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 24, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers fullback Danny Vitale (45) in the game against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. (Stan Szeto/USA TODAY Sports)

By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com

After a turbulent 2019 at fullback, the New England Patriots made the position one of their offseason priorities on Friday by signing Danny Vitale to a contract, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Terms of the deal are unknown.

A Packer for the last two seasons, Vitale appeared in 15 games with Green Bay (including four starts) in 2019, and totaled a career-high seven catches and 97 yards and rushed for three yards in his first (and only) career carry.

Vitale's signing could be a move to avoid a repeat of last year, which ended with linebacker Elandon Roberts serving as the Patriots' fullback following season-ending injuries to James Develin and Jakob Johnson, or it could be a rather ominous sign when it comes to Develin's status moving forward. One of the most underrated pieces of the New England running game, Develin suffered a neck injury in a Week 2 win over the Dolphins, and was eventually ruled out for the entire season. The 24-year-old Johnson, meanwhile, replaced Develin but was placed on injured reserve a month later with a shoulder injury.

Drafted by the Buccaneers in the sixth round in 2016 after a collegiate career at Northwestern, Vitale has appeared in 44 games between the Browns and Packers in his NFL career.

Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
Ty Anderson is 98.5 The Sports Hub’s friendly neighborhood straight-edge kid. Ty has been covering the Bruins (and other Boston teams) since 2010, has been a member of the PHWA since 2013, and went left to right across your radio dial and joined The Sports Hub in 2018. Ty also writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox.