Patriots promote offensive lineman James Ferentz from the practice squad to the 53-man roster

On Tuesday, the New England Patriots placed cornerback Eric Rowe on the injured reserve list. Since then, the team had an open spot on its 53-man roster — one that was filled today: New England promoted offensive lineman James Ferentz from their practice squad today. With Shaq Mason missing tomorrow’s game against the Green Bay Packers due to a calf injury, the versatile guard/center will serve as the team’s top interior backup tomorrow.

Ferentz originally joined the Patriots in May 2017 after he was released by the Denver Broncos. While the son of Bill Belichick confidante Kirk Ferentz was also let go by New England during roster cutdowns, he rejoined the Patriots via their practice squad and spent the entirety of the 2017 season there. After the Super Bowl, New England signed the Iowa product to a one-year futures contract.

Despite playing 48.2% of New England’s offensive snaps during the preseason, Ferentz failed to make the team’s opening day roster. Instead, he was let go and later again signed to the developmental team. He spent the first two months of the season on the practice squad but with Mason nursing injury and primary backup Ted Karras expected to fill his starting spot, the team called him up.

New England now has an open spot on their 10-man practice squad and will need to make another move when cornerback Duke Dawson officially re-joins the team off injured reserve.