A new tight end showed up at Patriots practice on Wednesday and we’ve finally found out who he is, thanks to the Globe’s Jim McBride.
#Patriots new tight end is Matt Lengel according to a league source. Former Bengal played at Eastern Kentucky.
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) November 2, 2016
Matt Lengel is a 6’8, 270 pound blocker out of Eastern Kentucky. He spent six years in college after receiving two medical redshirts for tearing the ACL in his same leg in 2012 and 2013. Lengel is fairly athletic with a quick-for-his-size 7.26 three come and an explosive 9’9 broad jump.
Lengel has spent the past two seasons on the Bengals practice squad. The Patriots have to pay Lengel for a minimum of three weeks of service after signing him away from Cincinnati.
The Patriots were short on tight ends after releasing Clay Harbor and trading AJ Derby to the Broncos. While Rob Gronkowski is an alien, Martellus Bennett has been battling an ankle injury. Lengel will likely play as an extra blocker, if he sticks on the roster.