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The New England Patriots have a busy three days behind them. On Sunday, the won their seventh game of the year by defeating the Green Bay Packers 31-71. On Monday, they signed linebacker Ufomba Kamalu to the practice squad and had free agent linebacker Albert McClellan in for a visit. On Tuesday, they made six transactions including signing McClellan and former second-round draft pick Obi Melifonwu.
The Patriots were not done, though, as they also hosted two more free agents on visits (via ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss):
RB Josh Ferguson
Illinois’ Josh Ferguson joined the Indianapolis Colts after going undrafted in 2016. The versatile receiving back made the team and went on to appear in all of its 16 games that year, finishing with 35 offensive touches for 156 yards from scrimmage. 2017 and 2018 went differently, however: Ferguson was placed on injured reserve both times and later let go. But while he re-joined the Colts last year — he went on to appear in 10 games, primarily on special teams — Ferguson did not this year. Instead he was signed to the Houston Texans’ practice squad last month. One week later, he was on the open market again.
OT Menelik Watson
A second-round draft pick in 2013, Menelik Watson spent the entirety of his four-year rookie contract with the Oakland Raiders. After seeing irregular playing time in Oakland, the 6’5, 315 lbs lineman signed a three-year contract with the Denver Broncos in 2017. He earned a starting spot at right tackle but saw his season come to an end in early November because he hurt his calf. The 29-year old also was placed on injured reserve earlier this year — he suffered a pectoral injury — and was ultimately released by the Broncos in early September.
None of the two should be expected to join the Patriots’ 53-man roster immediately, but with Ferguson being practice squad eligible he could be used to bolster depth there. After all, New England just released running back Kenneth Farrow off its scout team yesterday. Watson, meanwhile, appears to be an emergency call-up option. With Brian Schwenke going on injured reserve and Cole Croston getting released (he might re-join the practice squad), having someone potentially available could pay dividends.