Patriots re-sign wide receiver Jace Billingsley to practice squad, place Riley McCarron on injured reserve

The New England Patriots have a relatively settled team, but one position has been in flux ever since the offseason: we are talking, of course, of a wide receiver spot that has seen more than 30 transactions over the last six months. The latest pair of moves involves two practice squad players: New England placed Riley McCarron on injured reserve and filled his spot on the 10-man scout team with fellow wideout Jace Billingsley.

McCarron is in his second year with the Patriots and had a solid albeit unspectacular training camp and preseason. As a result of this and the turnover at wide receiver, he was originally able to make the 53-man roster and was active for New England’s week one game against the Houston Texans. However, a muffed punt return and limited abilities outside of the slot led to his release again after only one game. McCarron was then quickly re-signed to the practice squad.

Billingsley, meanwhile, returns to the Patriots’ practice squad after already being on it between September 4 and September 12. The former undrafted free agent, who spent his first two years in the league with the Detroit Lions but saw only minimal playing time, adds another layer of depth with McCarron apparently having suffered a long-term injury at one point over the last week. Billingsley, like McCarron, has experience as a punt returner.