Live isn’t easy for players on the practice squad as the New England Patriots have released FB Glenn Gronkowski to make space for LB Trevor Bates.
Gronkowski, the little brother of All Pro TE Rob Gronkowski, has yo-yo’d on and off the Patriots practice squad since originally signing on October 1st. He is living with his older brother and will likely remain on the Patriots short-list in case of injury.
Bates was a 7th round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2016 Draft out of the University of Maine, where he racked up 207 tackles and 19 sacks over 46 games. Bates is 6’1, 245 pounds and has spent time on the Colts practice squad and active roster. Bates is an impressive athlete with a 4.78 second 40 yard dash, 6.75 second three cone, and a 9’10” broad jump.
That three cone time is almost the same as FS Devin McCourty (6.70 seconds) and CB Cyrus Jones (6.71 seconds), and would have been the 2nd fastest by a linebacker at the NFL Combine. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick loves this drill, so it’s clear why the Patriots added him.
New England needed to add a linebacker to the practice squad for scout team purposes after trading Jamie Collins to the Browns. Bates should do nicely.