Bryce Baringer’s preseason injury has already rocked the reigning AFC East champs. The New England Patriots moved fast, signing veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky to their practice squad, and it looks like he is about to play a huge role from day one. This ain’t no casual pickup; Baringer is on injured reserve, out for at least four weeks, which means Wishnowsky is stepping into some serious pressure right away.
Emergency Punter Duty Calls for Wishnowsky
Talk about a sudden turn, huh? Wishnowsky, at 34 years old, just wrapped up a summer in Buffalo, and now he is the lone free agency pickup on New England’s initial developmental roster. This guy is no rookie; he entered the NFL in 2019 as a fourth-round pick for the 49ers. He spent six seasons in San Francisco before making stops in Washington and Buffalo. Now, he is in Foxborough, tasked with filling the shoes of a punter who actually made the 53-man roster. Baringer’s injury in preseason threw a wrench in everything, casting doubt on his availability for Week 1 and ultimately landing him on IR. That is a tough break for Baringer, but it is a massive opportunity for Wishnowsky to prove he still has it for a team with high expectations.
The Familiar Faces Sticking Around
Beyond the punter drama, the Patriots’ first practice squad is largely a reunion. Out of the twelve players officially announced, eleven were just let go by New England right before the roster cutdown. This is the usual dance, bringing back guys they know for depth. Running backs Hassan Haskins and Lan Larison are both back, but their path to the main roster got a lot tougher when the Patriots traded for Corey Kiner. That kind of move changes a player’s outlook fast. Eric Gregory, an interior defensive lineman, made a strong case for himself in preseason, and cornerback Kindle Vildor even looked like he could be the team’s fourth or fifth corner at times this summer. So, yeah, these guys are known quantities who can step in if needed. Plus, offensive tackle Lorenz Metz carries an exception due to his international status, giving them an extra spot. And the squad is not even full yet. There are still five spots open, with reports that interior offensive lineman Jake Kubas, who started three games over the last two seasons with the Giants, is expected to join soon. This team is clearly keeping its options open as the season kicks off.
So, as the regular season looms, all eyes will be on how Wishnowsky performs under pressure. Baringer is sidelined for at least four weeks, so Wishnowsky has a prime chance to show what he can do and solidify his spot. The Patriots are still shoring up their depth with those five open practice squad spots and Kubas on the way. Early season roster moves always matter, and this one could impact how the reigning AFC East champs navigate the first few weeks.
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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