Patriots add more defensive line depth with latest signing
The Patriots are dealing with a lot of injuries right now, and the defensive line is no exception. Of their three top defensive tackles to start the season, Daniel Ekuale is on IR following shoulder surgery while Davon Godchaux (ankle) and Christian Barmore (knee) are currently playing hurt.
With that group banged up, the Patriots are adding some defensive tackle depth. According to Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald, the team signed defensive tackle Trysten Hill to the practice squad on Tuesday after a ‘successful workout.’
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Hill, 25, was a second-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2019 out of UCF. He’s since played in 31 NFL games making five starts. Hill spent the first three and a half years of his career with the Cowboys before getting waived and claimed by the Arizona Cardinals last year. In 13 games between Dallas and Arizona last year he recorded 12 tackles, five for a loss, and a sack. He spent this summer with the Cleveland Browns and was initially signed to their practice squad, before being waived last week.
At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds Hill is more of an interior rusher than a run-stopping defensive tackle. That makes him similar stylistically to Ekuale, who is expected to be out for a significant amount of time.
This is the second time in as many weeks the Patriots have added a defensive tackle to their practice squad. They signed Manny Jones – who was teammates with Hill in Arizona in 2022 – last week.
In order to make the Hill signing official, the Patriots will need to open up a spot on their practice squad. They do currently have an open spot on the active 53-man roster, so it’s possible a current practice squad player could be promoted. At the same time though, the team may be saving that spot for one of the players eligible to come off IR this week.
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Patriots have five players eligible to return from IR or PUP this week
WR Tyquan Thornton (IR)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots’ second-round pick in last year’s draft, Thornton suffered an undisclosed shoulder injury during joint practices with the Green Bay Packers in August. This is the second year in a row he’s missed the start of the season on IR.
Initial reporting following Thornton’s injury suggested he was “not anticipated being out for long.” In an offense that’s lacking explosiveness right now, his speed could be helpful if he gets back in the wide receiver rotation.
OL Riley Reiff (IR)
Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots offensive tackle Riley Reiff (74) works with a weight bag during 2023 training camp. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Reiff was the Patriots’ biggest offensive line addition this offseason, but struggled at right tackle early in training camp. A few weeks in he kicked inside to right guard, where things looked a lot better before he injured his knee in the preseason finale.
There hasn’t been much reported on Reiff’s status, or his timeframe to return. If he is healthy though, the Patriots certainly could use offensive line help right now, both at tackle and guard.
CB Jack Jones (IR)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 24: Jack Jones #13 of the New England Patriots reacts after a tackle during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
With Christian Gonzalez injuring his shoulder on Sunday, the Patriots’ cornerback depth is now razor thin. Jonathan Jones has missed the last three games, with Jack Jones and Marcus Jones still on IR (Marcus Jones isn’t eligible to return until next week, but is expected to miss more time).
Jack Jones returning certainly would be a huge boost to the secondary right now, but it might not be in the cards. ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote on Sunday that “some around the team were targeting midseason as a more likely timetable” for Jones to return. Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice leading up to Week 1.
DL Trey Flowers (PUP)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 18: Trey Flowers #90 of the Detroit Lions lines up during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 18, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The Patriots signed Flowers in early August, and almost immediately put him on PUP with an undisclosed injury. Still, Flowers has been around the team, including being present at (but not participating in) a handful of practices throughout the summer.
It’s tough to tell where Flowers stands in terms of being ready to play. However, with Matthew Judon now expected to miss time, depth on the defensive line certainly is a need for the Patriots.
ST Cody Davis (PUP)
Aug 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Cody Davis (22) at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Davis is still recovering from a significant knee injury he suffered last October. While Davis remains around the team, there hasn’t been any reporting to suggest a return is close.
