The New England Patriots have named their initial 53-man roster for the 2023 season, but like the rest of the NFL, they still need to fill out the practice squad.
That means you can expect 16 players to sign with the Patriots as soon as Wednesday. Most, if not all, will be familiar faces for those who followed 2023 training camp. At least a handful of recently cut players will soon be back in a Pats uniform.
Since 2020, the NFL practice squad has been expanded to 16 players with two elevations allowed per week, and the Patriots have taken full advantage of that.
NFL practice squad rules
FOXBOROUGH, MA: A view of New England Patriots helmets on the bench during a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 11, 2022. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Every team has up to 16 practice squad spots to fill, but there are limitations. Mainly, at least 10 players must have two or fewer accrued NFL seasons. Accrual is defined as being on the active/inactive list, injured reserve, or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for at least six games.
In addition, teams can only carry up to six players with more than two years of experience. That’s how the Patriots were able to carry veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer on the practice squad in recent years, for example.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 11: James Ferentz #65 of the New England Patriots during the preseason game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Offensive lineman James Ferentz is an example of a player we’re projecting to land on the Patriots’ practice squad as a seven-year veteran. But you can also expect plenty of younger guys to make the group.
Follow along with the latest Patriots practice squad news in our tracker below.
Patriots officially announce initial practice squad
FOXBOROUGH, MA: A view of New England Patriots helmets at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Pats have officially named 15 players to their practice squad. Here’s the full list of players, which you can learn more about in the tracker below and in depth from Alex Barth.
QB Bailey Zappe
QB Malik Cunningham
WR Thyrick Pitts
RB Kevin Harris
RB Ty Montgomery
TE Matt Sokol
TE Pharoah Brown
OL James Ferentz
OL Kody Russey
OL Andrew Stueber
LB Joe Giles-Harris
LB Calvin Munson
LB Ronnie Perkins
S Joshua Bledsoe
P Corliss WaitmanNote that this is in fact 15 players, so the Pats have one more open spot on the practice squad. Mark Daniels reported on Wednesday that the Patriots were signing defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. to the practice squad, but he’s missing from the initial list.
Either way, the current group has no defensive linemen, so we expect that position to fill the open spot.
Practice attendance signifies new additions
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery II (14) takes a hand-off from quarterback Mac Jones (10) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Based on a report by Mark Daniels of MassLive at Patriots practice, the following players have been re-signed to the Patriots, likely through the practice squad:
RB/WR Ty Montgomery
TE Matt Sokol
RB Kevin Harris
OT Andrew Stueber
LB Joe Giles-HarrisMontgomery is the most significant one, as an eight-year NFL veteran who has looked like a solid piece of the offense when healthy. Harris, meanwhile, is only in his second season with possibly some untapped potential.
Sokol had a strong camp and looked to be the leader to become the third tight end on the roster. We’ll see if the Patriots make any more moves at that position.
Patriots bringing back Raleigh Webb
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Raleigh Webb runs a drill during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The Patriots are signing wide receiver/special teamer Raleigh Webb to the practice squad, according to Andrew Callahan. Webb is nothing more than an emergency option on offense, but could carve out a role as a core special teamer.
Calvin Munson makes his expected return
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Calvin Munson (43) in game action during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker Calvin Munson is coming back on the Patriots’ practice squad, according to Mark Daniels.
Munson got meaningful reps on defense during training camp, in addition to heavy special teams work. He was making a serious push to land on the 53-man roster after a strong preseason. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him sign to the main roster after the Patriots make their injured reserve moves.
BOTH backup quarterbacks are back
Aug. 10, 2023; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Bailey Zappe was the first major domino to drop for the Patriots’ practice squad, after reportedly signing. But the Pats are also bringing back Malik Cunningham, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.
Cunningham played both QB and wide receiver during camp and the preseason. He showed enough physical tools to be worth keeping around in Foxboro. Cunningham could also be an effective scout team quarterback against dual threats, such as the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, who comes to Foxboro Week 1.
Wide receiver coming back
Aug 1, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Thyrick Pitts (13) runs with the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
According to Mark Daniels, the Patriots are signing wide receiver Thyrick Pitts to their practice squad.
Pitts, 24, is an undrafted rookie who played the 2022 season at Delaware. He joined the Patriots after the start of 2023 training camp, ostensibly as a replacement for the released Ed Lee.
New England Patriots center Kody Russey (66) works on the tackling sled during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
According to Doug Kyed and others, the Patriots are signing offensive lineman Kody Russey to the practice squad. Russey is an interior lineman who repped at both guard and center at times in training camp, so it’s not too surprising that the team brought him back.
Pair of familiar defenders re-sign
Safety Joshuah Bledsoe of the New England Patriots practices during 2023 mandatory minicamp in Foxboro. (Matt Dolloff/98.5 The Sports Hub)
According to Mark Daniels of MassLive, the Patriots are bringing back safety Joshuah Bledsoe and defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. on the practice squad.
Bledsoe is in his third year and the team likes him, so it’s not surprising he’s back, despite good depth at safety. Pharms, meanwhile, was one of the only nose tackle-caliber players on the roster before he was cut. So it makes sense to keep him around.
Backup punter sticking around
New England Patriots punter Corliss Waitman during a break in action at 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
According to Mark Daniels, punter Corliss Waitman is re-signing with the Patriots on the practice squad. Waitman lost the No. 1 punting job to rookie Bryce Baringer, but the Pats decided to keep Waitman around as insurance in case the rookie gets off to a rough start.
Watch for external tight end help
HOUSTON,TX: Pharaoh Brown of the Houston Texans catches a pass for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium on Jan. 3, 2021. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Patriots named their 53-man roster with only Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki at tight end, but you can expect at least one new addition at that position.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, veteran TE Pharoah Brown is a name to keep in mind. Brown played the 2020 season with the Texans, when Pats offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien was still their head coach. He caught 87.5 percent of his targets that year, easily his career high.
It would be a little surprising if the Patriots didn’t bring back Matt Sokol as a practice squad tight end. But the O’Brien connection with Brown can’t be ignored.
