Josh Boyce, Jake Bequette Among 10 Named to Patriots Practice Squad
Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots officially announced their initial practice squad roster on Monday. 10 players in total were named to the squad. Many of the guys added were released during Saturday’s final roster cuts. Second-year wide receiver Josh Boyce, out of Texas Christian University, headlines the group.
Boyce was cut on Saturday after a disappointing preseason. He’ll now be forced to play his way back onto the roster with hard work and daily dedication.
Defensive end Jake Bequette was brought back. Bequette showed promising flashes this past preseason. His ability is raw and is in need of refining. He can tackle well and get after the passer, but he must become more stout at the point of attack if he has hopes of playing at an elite level along a defensive front.
Ja’Gared Davis returns at the linebacker position. He appeared in one regular season game last season as a member of the Patriots. Davis tackles well and he can move well. He’ll provide some emergency depth at the position.
Linebacker Deontae Skinner also got a nod. He, like Davis, will serve as a depth piece.
Safety Knorris Davis makes the squad after showing some promise on special teams. We all know Bill Belichick values a player who can chip in and execute on the kick and punt units. He played in five games with the team last season. He’s entering his second season out of Troy.
Rounding out the defensive members of the practice squad is cornerback Daxton Swanson. Swanson is in his first year out of Sam Houston State. He exhibited promising ball skill in camp, most notably when he forced and recovered a fumble against the Giants last week.
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McLeod Bethel-Thompson will quarterback the squad. He’s played for Miami, San Francisco and Minnesota. He’s never appeared in a regular season game.
Running back Jonas Gray was recalled. In his first season out of Notre Dame, the youngster showed promise in the preseason. The 230-pounder brings noteworthy size to the ground game.
Offensive lineman Chris Martin will will get a second chance after spending training camp and the preseason on the non-football injury list.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett is the final member of the squad. The team cut fellow snapper Danny Aiken on Saturday. Hughlett was with Dallas and Jacksonville prior to making his way to New England.