Yesterday, the New England Patriots lost one of their practice squad players to the New York Jets’ active roster: second-year offensive tackle Eric Smith joined the Patriots’ division rival, leaving an open spot on the 10-man scout team. It did not take long for the team to fill the vacancy, though. As the Patriots announced earlier today, they have added offensive tackle Toby Weathersby to fill Smith’s former spot.
After three years at LSU, the final of which as an 11-game starter, Weathersby decided to enter the NFL draft. However, the 6’6, 310 lbs lineman did not hear his name called on draft day and instead hit the free agency market. He was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles shorty afterwards and spent the entire spring and training camp with the club, appearing in all four of the team’s preseason contests.
Mostly a depth option over the summer, Weathersby was waived with an injury designation during final roster cuts. He was not picked up and reverted to the Eagles’ injured reserve off which he was released again in early October. The 22-year old, who has experience playing both on the left and the right side of the line and is a better run blocker than pass protector, remained on the open market since then.
Now, Weathersby has found a new home and joins former LSU teammates Danny Etling and Frank Herron on the Patriots’ practice squad. With him in the fold, the squad now looks as follows:
TE Stephen Anderson
OL Cole Croston
QB Danny Etling
DE Trent Harris
DT Frank Herron
DE Ufomba Kamalu
LB Calvin Munson
WR Damoun Patterson
OT Toby Weathersby
CB Jomal Wiltz