Patriots Sign Three Safeties in Ross Ventrone, Floyd Raven, and Dewey McDonald; Rufus Johnson Placed on Non-Football Injury List

The New England Patriots have made a flurry of roster moves.

Defensive end Rufus Johnson has been placed on the Non-Football Injury Reserve list due to the illness that has kept him sidelined for two weeks. Johnson was the sixth edge defender on the roster, behind Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard, Trey Flowers, and Geneo Grissom. Consider this a serious case of the Foxboro Flu as Johnson will compete for a key role next season.

The Patriots have also released practice squad cornerback Brandon Dixon, giving the Patriots two extra practice squad spots.

New England has filled Johnson's active roster spot by claiming safety Dewey McDonald off of waivers from the Colts. Indianapolis was trying to stash him on their practice squad. McDonald is a quality special teams player.

The Patriots have also added two safeties to the practice squad in Ross Ventrone and Floyd Raven. Ventrone is a former Patriot and brother of current Special Teams Assistant Coach Ray Ventrone.

Raven had been worked out by the Patriots in early September, after spending the offseason with the Bengals.

There are now 10 safeties on the New England roster.