When the Patriots placed rookie wide receiver Tyquan Thornton on injured reserve late last week, they opened up a spot on their 53-man roster. On Tuesday, they filled that spot with a signing from their practice squad.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots are promoting interior offensive lineman James Ferentz from the practice squad to the active roster. Ferentz, who is primarily a center but can also play both guard spots, has been with the team between the active roster and practice squad since 2017.
Sports Hub Patriots Season Preview w/ Alex Barth and Matt Dolloff
(Click here to subscribe to Patriots Audio on 98.5 The Sports Hub.)Now on the active roster, Ferentz will give the Patriots veteran depth at the interior offensive line spots. Prior to his elevation, the team only had rookie Chasen Hines as a backup guard between third-year right guard Mike Onwenu and rookie left guard Cole Strange. Ferentz can also play center, giving the team another backup option for David Andrews.
Ferentz, 33, originally entered the league as a UDFA out of Iowa in 2014. After stops with the Texans and Broncos, he signed with the Patriots prior to the 2017 season. He spent that entire season on the team’s practice squad, but in the four years since has appeared in 27 games for the Patriots making six starts.
This promotion also opened up a spot on the practice squad. The Patriots needed to do so to make room for wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, who they reportedly signed to a practice squad spot on Monday. They now have a full 53 player active roster and 16 player practice squad.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
Patriots fill final open roster spot with practice squad signing
