Patriots Place Dorin Dickerson on Practice Squad Injured Reserve

by Greg Knopping on Jan 25, 2012 6:29 PM EST in New England Patriots News

WR/TE Dorin Dickerson with the Texans in 2010.

The Patriots have made a minor roster move today, announcing that wide receiver / tight end Dorin Dickerson has been placed on practice squad injured reserve:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that WR Dorin Dickerson has been placed on the practice squad/injured reserve list.

Dickerson, 23, was signed to the New England practice squad on Dec. 7, 2011. He is a second-year player who was originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round (227th overall) out of Pittsburgh in 2010. As a rookie, he played in seven games, mainly on special teams. Dickerson, 6-2, 227 pounds, was released by Houston on Sept. 3, 2011 and was then signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad on Sept. 12 before being released on Sept. 15. During his college career, he played at wide receiver, linebacker and tight end.

This is a pretty minor move, but it does leave the Patriots pretty thin at tight end for practice. With Rob Gronkowski nursing an ankle injury suffered in the AFC Championship game, this leaves Aaron Hernandez as the only active tight end on the roster at this moment. Putting Dickerson on the reserve list opens up a spot on the practice squad, perhaps it could lead to the team re-signing Garrett Mills, who plays a similar position to Dickerson and was released from the practice squad last month.

As for Dickerson, he's a big athletic receiver / tight end prospect who still has a significant amount of upside. Assuming his injury situation isn't too serious, I would expect him to be signed to a future contract at the conclusion of the season with a chance to compete for a roster spot in 2012.

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I liked what I saw of him in the brief time that he played with the Texans

athletic, solid fundamentals. He may become a contributor one day.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Jan 25, 2012 8:26 PM EST reply actions

Hmmm....might we see...

Nate Solder catch a pass or two?

by arelshroom on Jan 25, 2012 9:00 PM EST reply actions

Not in a game

But I’m sure he’ll be used there in practice if Gronk is held out. Rob Ninkovich could also line up at TE in goal line sets, considering he was used in that spot at Purdue.

by Greg Knopping on Jan 25, 2012 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

so they're reviving the vrabel play?

if so- then is ninkovich now vrabel 2.0?

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 25, 2012 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

Wouldn't surprise me.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 25, 2012 11:37 PM EST up reply actions