Patriots working out edge rushers amid injuries, Judon departure
The New England Patriots edge rushers could use a new addition to the room.
In the wake of trading Matthew Judon, the Patriots suddenly need new faces to step up and create pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Some of that production will come from players already on the roster, but after trading Judon and dealing with a spate of injuries among their edge rushers, the Patriots are starting to look at outside additions.
According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Patriots are working out undrafted rookie defensive lineman Chris McCarroll. McCarroll reposted Wilson’s report, ostensibly confirming his workout in New England. McCarroll, a 2023 All-American at Grand Valley State, previously tried out for the Colts at their rookie minicamp.
According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, the Patriots are also working out defensive end Kobe Jones, who most recently played in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He has worked with five NFL teams, most recently the Carolina Panthers.
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A third defensive tryout: as first reported by @_MLFootball on X, the Patriots are bringing in linebacker Max Roberts. This is a player with local ties: Roberts played for Boston College in 2020. He briefly spent time with the Los Angeles Rams.
These workouts come amid sudden attrition among Patriots edge rushers. There’s the obvious big loss of Judon via trade, after the Pro-Bowl outside linebacker couldn’t get a new contract with the Pats. But health has quickly become an issue with those still in New England, as well.
Defensive lineman Oshane Ximines and outside linebacker Joshua Uche have both been absent from Patriots practice since Saturday. The Patriots are also expected to be without star defensive tackle Christian Barmore for extended time, if not the full season, due to his recovery from blood clots.
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The Patriots will lean on veterans like Deatrich Wise Jr. and Anfernee Jennings to mitigate the effects of losing Judon, while Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Trysten Hill have had solid camps and could make the initial 53-man roster out of camp.
But they may need depth pieces in the near future, if Uche or Ximines, who has also performed well enough to earn a roster spot in his first year as a Patriot, have to miss time.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
