Patriots elevate linebacker for Thursday night football

The New England Patriots are elevating linebacker Joe Giles-Harris from their practice squad to the active roster for Thursday night's game against the New York Jets, the team announced Thursday afternoon. This is the first practice squad elevation of the year for Giles-Harris.

This move comes after the Patriots ruled out two linebackers for this game, with Ja'Whaun Bentley and Oshane Ximines both missing the game due to injury. Ximines was later placed on IR.

Giles-Harris will give the Patriots more depth at linebacker without Bentley, although players like Raekwon McMillan and Jahlani Tavai are expected to receive the biggest increase in playing time. He also has special teams experience, and should help make up for the loss of Ximines, who played a significant role in the kicking game over the first two weeks of the season.

Some expected Giles-Harris to make the Patriots' initial roster out of training camp after a strong preseason. The Patriots first signed Giles-Harris last summer, and he spent the full season on the Patriots' practice squad.