Patriots Announce Another Roster Move After Major Week 9 Trade
By Jovan Alford
The New England Patriots were quite busy following their thrilling Week 8 win over the New York Jets. On Monday, the Patriots got a head start on their firesale, trading veteran pass rusher Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Uche’s name has been floating around in trade rumors for the last couple of years. The veteran defender was coincidentally a healthy scratch for last week’s game against the Jets. Uche was a prime candidate to be moved as he’s also a free agent at the end of this season.
With Uche off the 53-man roster and on his way to Kansas City, the Patriots need another pass rusher to fill his void. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that the Patriots signed outside linebacker Ochaun Mathis from the practice squad.
Patriots transactions:
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 29, 2024
🏈 OLB Ochaun Mathis signed to 53-man roster
🏈 WR Braylon Sanders takes Mathis’ spot on practice squad — 6-foot-1, 190 pounds; entered NFL as undrafted free agent in 2022 out of Ole Miss; spent ‘22 and ‘23 on Dolphins practice squad; waived in Sept. ‘24
To fill Mathis’ spot on New England’s practice squad, the Patriots signed wide receiver Braylon Sanders, who spent the last two seasons on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad.
Reiss adds that Mathis has been working with skills development coach Joe Kim on pass-rush technique and can help on special teams. The 25-year-old Mathis had a key block on a Marcus Jones’ punt return in last Sunday’s win over the Jets.
In anticipation of LB Ochaun Mathis taking open spot on 53-man roster from practice squad - which I'm told is in the works - a couple notes:
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 29, 2024
🏈 6-5, 250-pound edge who has worked with skills-development coach Joe Kim on pass-rush technique
🏈 KO return, KO coverage, punt return
JaMycal Hasty helped take out three coverage players on Marcus Jones' big return
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) October 28, 2024
Jones made the first man miss, set up a Marcellas Dial block, exploited another crucial block from practice squadder Ochaun Mathis, and then juked two more players before being brought down https://t.co/COknj36ku0 pic.twitter.com/PLVVYSLlX6
With the Patriots in rebuild mode, this is an excellent opportunity for guys like Mathis to show what they can do with extended snaps. The former Los Angeles Rams draft pick has already appeared in three games with the Patriots, mostly spent on special teams.
The 6-foot-5 defender was immediately signed to New England’s practice squad a few days after the Rams cut him ahead of the 53-man roster deadline in August.
More Patriots news and analysis:
feed