Patriots swap practice squad wide receivers in latest roster shuffle
The New England Patriots continue to retool their wide receiver depth chart just ahead of Week 1.
In the latest of a busy set of moves after naming their initial 53-man roster, the Patriots are signing rookie wide receiver T.J. Luther to their practice squad, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. As a corresponding move, they are releasing WR Thyrick Pitts from the practice squad, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.
Florham Park, NJ, May 31, 2023: Wide receiver, TJ Luther during the New York Jets’ OTAs. (Syndication: The Record)
Luther, 23, had previously spent the 2023 off-season with the New York Jets, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. Pitts signed with the Patriots’ practice squad after previously spending most of training camp with New England.
The move comes after the Pats on Thursday signed 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor, who was last with the Minnesota Vikings. Ty Montgomery is also listed as a wide receiver on the Patriots’ official practice squad roster.
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Tyquan Thornton is the only Patriots receiver to be placed on injured reserve after the team finalized the initial 53-man roster. Entering Week 1, the Patriots’ wide receivers on the main roster are Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and rookies Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas.
Montgomery, Reagor, and Luther will be candidates for elevation to the main roster for the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, along with the rest of the practice squad.
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Patriots rookies get new numbers, again
CB Christian Gonzalez: 6
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (50) sprints during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The NFL is letting players wear No. 0 for the first time this year, and given Gonzalez wore that in college it seemed like a logical fit. So, many were surprised when he got No. 19 to start the preseason.
Gonzalez’ number is changing, but it still isn’t No. 0. Instead, he’ll get the No. 6 that was vacated when Nick Folk was traded.
OL Sidy Sow: 62
Foxborough, Massachusetts, Aug. 10, 2023: New England Patriots guard Sidy Sow lines up against the Houston Texans during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Sow goes up one number from No. 61 to No. 62 – the number he wore in college. That number was previously taken by fellow offensive lineman Bill Murray, who was cut this week and signed with the Bears’ practice squad.
K Chad Ryland: 39
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (38) kicks the ball to the Houston Texans during the first half at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Like Sow, Ryland increases his number by one from No. 38 to No. 39. Ryland wore No. 38 in college, but that’s currently taken by Rhamondre Stevenson, so he was always going to have to change.
P Bryce Baringer: 19
Aug. 10, 2023; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots punter Bryce Baringer (9) warms up before a preseason game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Baringer was also wearing a number currently taken by an established Patriots player – Matthew Judon’s No. 9. His college No. 99 is also taken by Keion White. Instead he’ll take No. 17, which was worn by tight end Scotty Washington before he got cut last week.
That number has recently been associated with bad luck in New England, specifically for wide receivers. He’ll be just the third Patriots punter to wear the number though, after Luke Prestridge (1984) and Michael Palardy (2022).
Practice squad
New England Patriots punter Corliss Waitman during a break in action at 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The Patriots also had three number changes on their practice squad. Punter Corliss Waitman went from No. 15 to No. 39, linebacker Joe Giles-Harris went from No. 53 to No. 44, and wide receiver Thyrick Pitts went from No. 13 to No. 83.
