Patriots announce first 7 practice squad signings

With their initial roster set on Tuesday and the first waiver cycle completed on Wednesday, it's now time for Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo to put together the Patriots practice squad. That started on Thursday, with the team announcing the first seven signings of the season.

All seven players were with the team in training camp this summer. The group is made up of running backs Kevin Harris and Terrell Jennings, wide receiver Matt Landers, tight end Mitchell Wilcox, offensive lineman Liam Fornadel, defensive end Jotham Russell and safety A.J. Thomas.

Those signings leave the Patriots practice squad with 10 open spots remaining, four of which can be filled by veterans (the others have to go to rookie or second-year players). Russell doesn't count against the 16-man practice squad limit as an International Pathway Player, but that also means he can't be added to the active roster this season (although he can be a practice squad gameday elevation up to three times).

Some of those remaining spots could go to other players recently cut by the Patriots, including the four released on Wednesday (Jalen Reagor, Michael Jordan, Trysten Hill, and Isaiah Bolden) after the team's waiver claims. However there are some players who reportedly won't be returning, including safety Joshuah Bledsoe and wide receiver David Wallis (both reported by Mark Daniels of MassLive).

There are still a few positions where the Patriots are thin on their active roster that aren't yet supplemented by the practice squad. Quarterback, offensive tackle, tight end, defensive tackle, edge rusher, and kicker would all be spots where it would make sense for the Patriots to add.