Even with their 2020 campaign almost over, the New England Patriots are still trying to actively bolster their team heading into the offseason — or at least to keep their emergency list up to date. Accordingly, the team brought free agent cornerback Dee Virgin in for a visit on Wednesday that included Covid-19 testing and could feature a subsequent workout.
Virgin originally entered the NFL in 2017 as an undrafted rookie signing by the Houston Texans. The West Alabama product — the same school that produced former Patriots Pro Bowler Malcolm Butler — spent his entire rookie season on the team’s practice squad before being let go as part of 2018 roster cutdown day. It did not take long for him to find a new home, though, as he was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.
Virgin spent the next three seasons in Detroit and appeared in 21 regular season games along the way. Playing primarily on special teams — all but two of his 449 career snaps so far have come in the kicking game — he registered 12 tackles as well as a forced fumble. Despite his solid production, however, he was let go by the Lions earlier this month. Following a one-week stint on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad, he entered the open market again.
The Patriots, who have one open spot on their 53-man roster after waiving tight end Jordan Thomas on Wednesday, have no immediate need to add another player to their active team. New England has only one more game left to be played this season and has sufficient depth both in the secondary and on special teams.
The 27-year-old, however, could still be a candidate to be added either via the practice squad or 53-man team to bolster the depth at both spots heading into an offseason filled with uncertainty.