Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Ronnie Perkins (51) walks to the practice field at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Ronnie Perkins will have to wait another year to try to make an impact on the Patriots’ roster.

The team announced Tuesday that Perkins has been placed on injured reserve, which officially ends his season. Players are only eligible to return from IR if they are first named to the initial 53-man roster.

For Perkins, instead it’s another “redshirt” year, a season entirely on the sidelines. It’s been a slow development for the former 96th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, who has yet to play a regular season game in the NFL.

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Perkins spent 13 games of his rookie year on the 53-man roster, but was inactive for all 13 before being placed on IR in December. He was present throughout 2022 training camp up until this week, but mostly practiced with the reserves, as others clearly ranked ahead of him in the pecking order at outside linebacker.

Despite Perkins’ inability to make an early impact on the Patriots defense, all hope should not be lost for him. Sometimes, especially at linebacker, it takes up to 3-4 years for guys to take a big step forward for Bill Belichick. Dont’a Hightower notably had a “sophomore slump” in his second season in 2013, before transforming into a crucial piece of the Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning defense in year 3. Inside linebacker and likely team captain Ja’Whaun Bentley is coming off the best season of his career in year 4.

The most recent example is Anfernee Jennings, who played just 33 percent of defensive snaps as a rookie in 2020, then spent all of 2021 on IR. Heading into 2022, Jennings has emerged as potentially the Patriots’ top reserve outside linebacker opposite Matthew Judon. Bill Belichick, and outside linebackers coach Steve Belichick, sound pleased with Jennings’ summer, and that’s been reflected in his usage.

So it’s been a little mysterious as to why Perkins hasn’t shown much, while Mac Jones, Christian Barmore, and Rhamondre Stevenson made immediate impacts from the 2021 class. One could argue that the collective quality of players taken in 2021 should give fans hope that Perkins will eventually play a bigger role on the Pats defense.

In addition, the Patriots announced that they’ve placed tackle Andrew Stueber on the reserve/non-football injury list. Stueber hasn’t played at all this summer due to his presence on NFI, and it’s starting to look like the 2022 seventh-round pick may never suit up in a Pats uniform.

Patriots’ Projected Linebacker Depth Chart

HENDERSON, NEVADA – AUGUST 23: Linebackers Josh Uche #55 and Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots run through a blocking drill during a joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on August 23, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. The Patriots and Raiders will play a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on August 26. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Inside

Ja’Whaun Bentley
Raekwon McMillan
Mack Wilson
Jahlani Tavai
Harvey Langi
Cameron McGrone

Outside

Matthew Judon
Anfernee Jennings
Josh Uche

Although Perkins looked like the No. 4 outside linebacker at best, the Patriots’ depth took a bit of a hit there. They will lean heavily on Judon, as one would expect, and are counting on Uche and Jennings to both made a year-3 jump.

On the inside, the Pats’ linebacker depth still looks good. Belichick will still have a bit of a tough decision on 2021 fifth-rounder Cameron McGrone, who looks like he still has a long way to go. It’ll be especially tough if Belichick insists on fitting Jahlani Tavai onto the 53-man roster.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 19: Anfernee Jennings #58 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on August 19, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

With the Perkins and Stueber moves, the Patriots are down to 80 players on the roster, a benchmark they were required to meet by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. For a day, they avoided having to cut or trade a player ahead of final cut-downs to 53. Next Tuesday, Aug. 30, will be the final cut day.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the Patriots’ roster moves ahead of the start of the 2022 regular season. Click here for complete Patriots preseason coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at [email protected].