Patriots bring two defensive linemen in for free agency workouts

The New England Patriots are in the middle of a busy week. Not only are they preparing for their upcoming showdown against the 6-4 Dallas Cowboys, the team is also busy shaping its roster and practice squad: over the last few days, offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn rejoined the 53-man squad from injured reserve to fill a spot vacated by punt returner Gunner Olszewski being moved to IR, while also signing wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo to the practice squad.

On top of it all, the Patriots also found the time to work out three players. One of the workouts took place on Tuesday — New England hosted safety Tre Sullivan — while two more were conducted on Wednesday: as first reported by ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss, the team had defensive linemen Terry Beckner and Tashawn Bower in town. While they are unlikely to join the active roster, they could compete for the two open practice squad spots.

DT Terry Beckner

A second-team All-SEC selection during his final season in Missouri, Terry Beckner entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 22-year-old, who lacks outstanding athleticism and is a raw prospect from a technical perspective, saw considerable action over the course of the preseason but ultimately failed to earn a roster spot. He was released during final roster cutdowns and later signed to the team’s practice squad. After he was suspended by the league for violating its policy on performance enhancing drugs, however, he was released again.

DE Tashawn Bower

Tashawn Bower originally joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent signing by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017, and was able to make the team’s 53-man roster during his rookie campaign. Serving primarily as an emergency depth option along the defensive edge, he went on to appear in seven games over his next two seasons before suffering a torn Achilles tendon during an offseason workout earlier this year. The Vikings subsequently placed Bower on their non-football injury list and in mid-October decided to waive him again.