Patriots call up tight end, linebacker for Bears game
The New England Patriots are adding to their depth at tight end and linebacker ahead of Sunday’s road matchup with the Chicago Bears.
According to a team announcement on Saturday, the Patriots are elevating tight end Mitchell WIlcox and linebacker Joe Giles-Harris to the main roster for Sunday’s game at Soldier Field. Wilcox previously played 17 special teams snaps in a Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, while Giles-Harris played nine defensive snaps and 14 special teams snaps in Week 3 against the New York Jets.
Wilcox’s elevation for this game is interesting, because the Patriots did not list any tight ends on the Week 10 injury report. His presence on the roster for Sunday could indicate that the Pats are preparing to use heavier personnel packages on offense. He joins a tight end depth chart on Sunday that already includes Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, and rookie Jaheim Bell.
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Giles-Harris, meanwhile, is more straightforward. Linebacker Christian Elliss (abdomen) has already been ruled out for Sunday, after playing in all nine games to begin the 2024 season, so extra bodies are needed. Fellow linebackers Jahlani Tavai (personal/non-injury) and Sione Takitaki (knee) also appeared on this week’s injury report, but both were eventually removed.
Both Wilcox and Giles-Harris will revert to the practice squad after Sunday’s game. They can be elevated and sent back one more time, and would need to sign to the 53-man roster after that.
Patriots-Bears is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET on FOX. You can get the call of the game with Bob Socci and Scott Zolak on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
