The New England Patriots are back at a full 53-man active roster! On Tuesday, they re-signed interior offensive lineman Ben Brown, cut just one day prior, and added rookie linebacker Erick Hunter.
Brown’s Quick Turnaround
Brown, 28, joined the Patriots in 2024, playing 31 games with 14 starts. Last December, he signed a two-year, $5 million extension, seen as a top backup. A preseason opener injury led to his release. The 6-foot-5, 313-pound Brown, a 2022 rookie free agent from Mississippi, started with the Bengals, then had stints in Seattle, Arizona, and Las Vegas. They clearly wanted him back.
Hunter Bolsters the Defense
Rookie Erick Hunter, 23, also joined. He entered the NFL as a free agent with the Lions this offseason. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker played 45 games, with 39 starts at Morgan State. He finished second in school history with 298 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Hunter’s college resume is seriously stacked.
What These Moves Mean Early On
With Brown and Hunter, the Patriots hit their full 53 active players for the early regular season. They also signed four to the practice squad: offensive lineman Jake Kubas, defensive tackle Jalen Hunt, and linebackers K.J. Britt and Jose Ramirez. This fills 16 of 17 practice squad spots. Outside linebacker Xavier Holmes’ reported signing isn’t official yet. Patriots fans should watch these early adjustments closely.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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