The New England Patriots are planning to place rookie wide receiver/punt returner Gunner Olszewski on injured reserve, as first reported by ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss. The move comes at a time where Olszewski has been inactive for the last two games and is reportedly battling separate ankle and hamstring injuries, and will free up a spot on New England’s 53-man roster.
Olszewski, who was signed as an undrafted free agent earlier this year out of Division II’s Bemidji State, appeared in eight games for New England this season mostly as a punt returner. He ran back 20 kicks for 179 yards and a 9.0-yard average. With him now likely to be sidelined for the year, the Patriots could turn to Mohamed Sanu and first-round rookie N’Keal Harry to run back punts.
All signs now point towards the Patriots using the open roster spot to officially activate left tackle Isaiah Wynn, who has not played since Week 2 in Miami, off injured reserve to make his comeback this week against the Dallas Cowboys.