Patriots reportedly host tackle Jerald Hawkins for workout before camp

On their final day before training camp, the New England Patriots hosted yet another workout.

According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, the Patriots had free-agent offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins in the building on Tuesday.

Hawkins, 27, is a five-year veteran of the NFL, spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans. Entering the league as a fourth-round draft pick out of LSU in 2016, shoulder and quad injuries would limit Hawkins to just five games over the course of his first three seasons with the Steelers before being traded in August of 2019. Short stints in Tampa Bay and Houston led to his return to Pittsburgh, where he played in 13 games in 2020.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Hawkins was the fifth player to work out for the Patriots since Friday. None of the others have yet signed, as it is likely these workouts served as a means to update New England’s emergency lists.

The Patriots’ roster is set at 89 players following the release of wide receiver Devin Smith.