Patriots add offensive line depth in latest move
The New England Patriots started off trade deadline day with a signing, bringing in guard Tyrese Robinson off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad.
Tuesday morning ahead of the NFL trade deadline (4 p.m. ET on Tuesday) the New England Patriots added to their roster. This addition comes via signing though, rather than trade.
As first reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots are signing offensive guard Tyrese Robinson off of the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Robinson has also spent time with the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squads since entering the league as a UDFA out of Oklahoma in 2022.
In college Robinson mostly played right guard, but mixed in at tackle as well. Through two NFL preseasons though he’s played exclusively guard – mostly on the right side.
This past summer Robinson – who checks in a 6-foot-3, 317 pounds – played 146 snaps over three games for the Vikings and allowed just two pressures while being penalized once. Robinson has never appeared in a regular season NFL game.
Robinson adds another body to what is a crowded group of guards on the Patriots’ roster. He joins Michael Jordan, Sidy Sow, and rookie Layden Robinson as true guards, with the team also using Mike Onwenu and Zach Thomas as both guards and tackles. There’s also Cole Strange, who is reportedly nearing his return from IR.
In order to make Tyrese Robinson’s signing official though the Patriots will have to open up a roster spot (they came into the day with the maximum of 53 players on the active roster) via a trade, release, or IR placement.
That spot could come from the interior of the offensive line, with the room now as crowded as it is. At the same time, the team has reportedly been looking to move players at other positions before Tuesday’s trade deadline, such as wide receivers K.J. Osborn and Tyquan Thornton.
