The New England Patriots have placed LB Jonathan Freeny and TE Greg Scruggs on the injured reserve, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. The Patriots have promoted ED Geneo Grissom and DT Anthony Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster.
Patriots have placed TE Greg Scruggs and LB Jonathan Freeny on injured reserve. DE Geneo Grissom & DT Anthony Johnson promoted from p-squad.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 15, 2016
Freeny has been battling a shoulder injury. The emergence of rookie LB Elandon Roberts has eased the defensive impact of losing Freeny, while Grissom could see some of Freeny’s snaps on special teams. Grissom was the Patriots 3rd round pick in the 2015 draft.
Scruggs injured his knee and has not seen the field in a Patriots uniform this year. The Patriots are deep at tight end with Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, and AJ Derby.
Johnson was on the active roster earlier this season as an interior pass rusher. He will be the fifth defensive tackle on the roster, alongside Alan Branch, Malcom Brown, Vincent Valentine, and Woodrow Hamilton.
The Patriots now have two openings on the practice squad. Look for the Patriots to add another linebacker for the sake of the scout team.