Patriots sign rookie off Ravens’ practice squad

With Cody Davis reportedly out for the year with a knee injury, the Patriots found themselves with multiple holes to fill on their special teams unit. As Bill Belichick explained Wednesday morning, "With a player like Cody, you lose that player on five different units...Once you identify who the person is that's going to replace Cody, then there's five people that have to replace him. Or one person has to replace him on five different units."

Belichick's answer to Davis' situation made it sound like the team needed to add another player on special teams, and they did just that Wednesday afternoon. As first reported by ESPN's Field Yates, the Patriots have signed rookie coverage specialist Raleigh Webb off the Ravens' practice squad to their active roster.

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Webb entered the NFL as a UDFA with the Ravens this spring. He with the team throughout the spring and summer, released during final roster cuts, then brought back on the practice squad.

Baltimore elevated him twice this season, including for the Week 3 matchup against the Patriots. In both games, he played exclusively on special teams.

Webb played collegiately for six seasons at The Citadel. He was originally recruited as a safety, but moved to wide receiver in his second year. In addition to playing football, he also ran track.

With the Ravens, Webb was listed as a wide receiver. However, his locker at Gillette Stadium displayed the number 44 on Wednesday, with could mean the team views him more as a safety. Either way, his role with the Patriots will likely be exclusively on special teams.

Webb wasn't the Patriots' only addition on Wednesday. They also had an open spot on the practice squad after releasing kicker Tristan Vizcaino. ESPN's Mike Reiss reported Wednesday afternoon the team is signing linebacker Ron'Dell Carter to that spot.

Carter entered the league as a UDFA in 2020, and has spent time with the Cowboys, Cardinals, Steelers, Colts, and Texans. He has appeared in four NFL games, playing both defense and special teams. Collegiately, Carter played three years at James Madison after transferring from Rutgers.

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.