Patriots reach futures deal with linebacker Michael Pinckney

The New England Patriots signed linebacker Michael Pinckney to a reserve-futures contract on Wednesday, according to the NFL transaction wire.

Pinckney, 22, had joined New England’s practice squad in October. He was suspended by the league in November for the final six weeks of the regular season.

The University of Miami product entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020 after appearing in 49 games during his Hurricanes tenure. The tenure spanned 47 starts to go with 267 tackles, 14.5 sacks, three interceptions and one fumble recovery dating back to his freshman season.

Pinckney, listed at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, had surgery to repair a torn hip labrum during the pre-draft process last spring.

The 2019 second-team All-ACC selection now stands as the 11th member of New England’s practice squad to reach a futures pact since the week began.

That list includes Jake Dolegala, Devin Smith, Isaiah Zuber, Kristian Wilkerson and Ross Reynolds on the offensive side of the ball. It includes Nick Thurman, Bill Murray and D’Angelo Ross on the defensive side, as well as Justin Rohrwasser and Roberto Aguayo on special teams.

The Patriots signed an additional three to the 53-man roster from the scout team in advance of last Sunday’s season finale versus the New York Jets.