New England Patriots

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Will Hastings #33 of the Auburn Tigers catches a pass in front of defensive back Stephen Houzah #3 of the Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

The Patriots have re-signed undrafted rookie wide receiver Will Hastings, as reported by Jim McBride of the Boston Globe on Monday. The move comes soon after two players, fullback Dan Vitale and guard Najee Toran, decided to opt out of the 2020 season amid COVID-19 concerns.

Hastings was a notable signing by the Patriots after the 2020 NFL Draft because of his alma mater. He was a former teammate of quarterback Jarrett Stidham at Auburn. The Patriots announced the release of Hastings and eight other players on Sunday in order to get their roster down to the league-mandated 80-player limit.

The Patriots have re-signed wide receiver Will Hastings. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Will Hastings is back with the Patriots after being released over the weekend. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Vitale and Toran’s decisions to opt out suddenly reopened a roster spot for Hastings. As of this writing, a second addition to the roster has yet to be reported.

Hastings is part of a crowded depth chart at wide receiver, where as many as seven players could compete for roster spots after Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, and Mohamed Sanu. The group also includes Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Marqise Lee, Damiere Byrd, Quincy Adeboyejo, Jeff Thomas, and Devin Ross.

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