The New England Patriots have had a busy Monday. First, it was announced that the team and starting right tackle Marcus Cannon had agreed to a 5-year, $35 million contract extension. Then, it reported that rookie running back D.J. Foster cleared waivers and is expected to re-sign with the Patriots’ practice squad.
Finally, the team has brought back tight end Kennard Backman, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.
Backman originally entered the league as a sixth-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2015. He started his second year in the NFL on injured reserve but was waived by the Packers with an injury settlement in early September. New England picked up the free agent on November 12th and signed him to its practice squad – only to release him two days later.
Now, the 6’3 tight end is back in Foxboro and joins the Patriots’ practice squad. With both Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett nursing injuries, the move looks like an insurance policy of sorts. Don’t expect Backman to be promoted to the active roster anytime soon, but if worst comes to worst, the team now has someone to activate to the 53-man team to back up Gronkowski, Bennett and Matt Lengel.
Well, unless he gets released again in two days...
Re-signing both Foster and Backman puts the Patriots’ practice squad over the 10-man limit, so a corresponding move needs to be made by the team.