The New England Patriots are pretty busy this week when it comes to managing the back-end of their pay roll. Yesterday, the team signed offensive lineman Ian Silberman to fill out its practice squad, today, the Patriots made yet another transaction.
According to Doug Kyed, the team signed a wide receiver to the practice squad:
The Patriots signed WR Shaq Evans to their practice squad.
Evans entered the NFL as a fourth round draft pick by the New York Jets in 2014. The 6’1, 205 lbs wideout did not appear in a single game for the team, though, as he spent his first season on injured reserve. His tenure in New York ended after only one season as Evans was released in September 2015.
He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad shortly after his release. He spent the entire 2015 season there as well as the first week of this year. However, the Jaguars waived the UCLA product a month ago – allowing him to sign with the Patriots today.
To make room for the 25-year old wide receiver, the Patriots have apparently decided to release fullback Glenn Gronkowski (via Mark Daniels):
Looks like Glenn Gronkowski has been cut for WR Shaq Evans on the practice squad
With James Develin the undisputed number one fullback, Gronkowski had no prospects of joining the active roster anytime soon. Therefore, seeing him as a part of this transaction is no surprise.