Just days into training camp, the New England Patriots continued to shuffle things up at wideout, with wide receiver Thyrick Pitts claimed off waivers from the Chicago Bears.
The Patriots have claimed WR Thyrick Pitts off waivers from the Bears.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 1, 2023
A 6-foot-2 wideout out of Delaware, Pitts signed with the Bears following the 2023 NFL Draft, but was ultimately released Monday when the team made a move to sign tight end Jared Pinkney.
Delaware’s Thyrick Pitts catches a pass before going out of bounds during an FCS playoff game against South Dakota State on December 3, 2022, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings. (USA TODAY SPORTS)
A six-year talent at the University of Delaware, Pitts made the jump to the pro game after a 2022 season that included 57 catches, 631 receiving yards, and a team-best 10 touchdowns in 13 games for the Blue Hens. His 10 touchdowns were a single-season collegiate career high, as were his 57 catches.
Overall, the Virginia-born wideout totaled 172 catches, 2,429 yards, and 23 touchdowns, along with 41.2 yards per game, in 59 games with Delaware from 2017 through 2022.
FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS — New England Patriots wide receiver Jalen Hurd makes a catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
But with Pitts in New England, something had to give elsewhere, and that happened with recent free-agent addition Jalen Hurd moved to the reserve/retired list.
Signed as the team’s proverbial 90th man just ahead of the opening of training camp, Hurd’s retirement comes after what was an NFL career that was quite simply derailed by his injury woes.
Drafted by the 49ers with a third-round pick in 2019 following a strong career at Tennessee and Baylor, Hurd dealt with a back injury that landed him on the injured reserve and kept him on the shelf for his entire rookie season. Hurd then suffered a torn ACL during an ‘on-the-side running route’ drill during an August practice in 2020 and missed the entire season. And in 2021, Hurd’s knee issues continued, and ultimately led to his release.
Hurd did not appear in a single NFL snap in the regular season.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick holds a morning press conference before 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
With Hurd out and Pitts in, the Patriots’ depth chart at wide receiver in camp is headlined by JuJu Smith-Schuster and the recently-extended DeVante Parker, along with second-year pro Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne. Towards the bottom of the roster, the Patriots will have Kayshon Boutte, Tre Nixon, Demario Douglas, Raleigh Webb, Ed Lee, Malik Cunningham, and Pitts fighting for roles with the club.
New England’s first preseason game will be Aug. 10 against the Texans.
