The New England Patriots near the season finale with a depth chart of two at tight end.
New England waived Jordan Thomas on Wednesday, the organization announced.
Thomas, 24, originally entered the NFL in the sixth round of the 2018 draft out of Mississippi State. The 6-foot-5, 277-pound tight end caught 21 passes for 223 yards and four touchdowns as a member of the Houston Texans. He joined the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad at its formation in September, and scored a touchdown after signing to the 53-man roster as the calendar turned to October.
The Patriots were awarded Thomas off waivers last month amid attrition at the position.
Thomas went on to appear in two games for New England, playing seven snaps on offense and eight snaps on special teams. He had been placed on the Covid-19 reserve list Saturday and was activated Wednesday, according to the league transaction wire.
The Patriots move forward with rookie tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene on the active roster. The third-round April arrivals by way of UCLA and Virginia Tech have both spent time on injured reserve during their stay while playing in a combined 16 contests.
Former starter Ryan Izzo, who went on injured reserve earlier in December, has accounted for 13 of the 15 receptions and 199 of the 209 receiving yards by New England’s tight ends this campaign.
The New York Jets visit Gillette Stadium for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.