The Patriots made a series of roster moves on Saturday afternoon, including signing a seven-year offensive lineman from the practice squad to the active roster.
Earlier in the day, the Patriots ruled out Conor McDermott (concussion) and Hunter Henry (knee), who joined Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), and safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring).
First, the Patriots signed offensive tackle James Ferentz to the 53-man roster. Ferentz, 34, has spent most of his career with the Patriots. The Iowa alum has started nine games under Bill Belichick, tallying 776 offensive snaps and 130 snaps on special teams. Ferentz signed with the Patriots in 2017 after spending two seasons with the Denver Broncos. Ferentz is one of ten current Patriots players to be a part of the 2019 Super Bowl team. The others are Trent Brown, Lawrence Guy, Matthew Slater, Ja’Whuan Bentley, David Andrews, Joe Cardona, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, and Deatrich Wise.
Along with signing Ferentz to the active roster, the Patriots placed offensive tackle Conor McDermott on the season-ending IR. McDermott, 30, was a mid-season addition for the Patriots this season. The former sixth-round pick has played 26% of the Patriot’s offensive snaps this season. He joined the Patriots in 2017 but was later waived and claimed by the Bills. After his stint with the Bills, he signed a four-year contract with the Jets. The Patriots re-signed McDermott last season. In 2023, he appeared in six games for the Patriots, recording five starts.
In addition to the previous roster moves, the Patriots elevated tight end Matt Sokol and cornerback Breon Borders to the active roster.
Sokol, 28, has spent the last two years on the Patriots practice squad. The Michigan State alum was elevated three times last season but didn’t register any statistics. Sokol entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions before signing with the Patriots. Since Hunter Henry will be inactive, Sokol will join Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown in the tight-end rotation.
Borders, 28, will also join the Patriots in Denver. It’ll mark the first time the veteran cornerback will be elevated this season. Borders entered the NFL 2017 as an undrafted free agent, appearing in 32 games and recording 42 tackles. The defensive back has totaled six starts in his career. Borders has made his way around the league playing with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and Atlanta Falcons.
Sunday’s kickoff against the Denver Broncos is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
