After cutting down their roster from 77 to 53 players on Saturday, the New England Patriots also had a busy day on Sunday: while not claiming any players off waivers, they did add 16 players to their practice squad. After already signing nine earlier today, they filled out their developmental roster by bringing seven other players in — including the only outside addition made to either the active roster or practice squad this weekend.
TE/LB Rashod Berry
WR Mason Kinsey
TE Paul Quessenberry
WR Devin Ross
RB J.J. Taylor
DT Xavier Williams
WR Isaiah Zuber
The Patriots’ final group of additions included six players who were among those released on Saturday: Rashod Berry, Paul Quessenberry, Devin Ross, J.J. Taylor, Xavier Williams and Isaiah Zuber. With the exception of Williams, all had to pass through the waiver wire to return to New England. Seeing them brought eventually be back is not that big of a surprise, though. After all, their additions help bolster depth at some positions of relative need when looking at the 53-man roster.
Berry offers versatility to play both outside linebacker and tight end, with Quessenberry being able to play tight end and fullback; Taylor had a solid training camp and is a healthy body at a running back group dealing with some injury (Sony Michel is coming off a stint on the physically unable to perform list; Damien Harris is dealing with a finger injury); Xavier Williams is an experienced option at a position that could lose Beau Allen to short-term injured reserve soon.
And then, there is wide receiver. Training camp surprise Devin Ross and undrafted rookie Isaiah Zuber have both had some positive moments this summer and will continue their development behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, former undrafted rookie wideout Mason Kinsey was added as the lone outside signee. Coming out of Division-III Berry College, Kinsey entered the league with the Tennessee Titans but was waived on Saturday. He went unclaimed, and eventually decided to take his talents to New England where he will offer depth as another developmental wide receiver on the practice squad — one that saw him catch 203 passes for 3,343 yards and 50 (!) touchdowns.