It seems like the New England Patriots are managing injuries to essential players on a weekly basis now 12 weeks into the regular season. While the injuries continue to pile up for the Patriots, they're actively making transactions from the practice squad to help improve the 53-man roster by adding depth where it's needed.
In doing so, the Patriots signed tight end C.J. Dippre to the 53-man roster with Austin Hooper still working his way back from a concussion that he received in Week 10 and that had him sidelined last week against the New York Jets. Although Hooper returned to practice this week, adding Dippre is still needed for depth purposes, and it's fair to say that the Patriots felt the repercussions in Week 10 with only having one true tight end available for the game.
After spending the entire training camp with New England, Dippre was waived as part of the final roster cuts, but he was quickly signed to the practice squad the next day. According to MassLive’s Patriots reporter Mark Daniels, Dippre was targeted by multiple teams interested in signing him to their 53-man roster from New England's practice squad, but Dippre didn't have any interest in leaving the Patriots.
“Yeah, there were other teams that were interested in signing me, and I didn’t really want to leave. (The Patriots) didn’t really want me to leave,” Dippre said. “So, it was kind of a thing that I wanted to stay here, earn my right here, and play here. I know all these guys, love this team, love the coaching staff.”
Week 12 Is Perfect Debut Game for Patriots Rookie TE
If Dippre does end up suiting up this weekend, a showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals is the best matchup he could've asked for. The Bengals have been tight ends' best friends this season, allowing the most receiving yards (808) and touchdowns (12) to the position while also being tied for the fourth-most catches surrendered.
And from what tight ends coach Thomas Brown had to say (h/t @MikeReiss) on Friday morning, it sounds like the first-year TE is already a perfect fit for the team, potentially putting him on track for a big role vs. the Bengals.
"(Dippre has) improved as a route-runner and has continued to do a good job of trying to find ways to maximize his skill set and abilities," Brown said. "When you’re a large pile of a man (6-5, 256), use it to your advantage. Football is a violent game and rewards those who play it violently, so put yourself in a spot to hopefully be able to carve out roles.”
The addition of Dippre is important even with Hooper available and moving forward this season. Considering the way injuries are stacking up, and without having the bye week until Week 14, it's wise for the Patriots to add depth to a thin and aging position.
The Patriots use 12-personnel 35.3% of the time, which is well above the league average of 23.2%, per SumerSports. But with only one tight end last week, they had to dispatch backup offensive lineman Ben Brown as a tight end, who logged 12 snaps on both sides of the line as a blocker.
At 6-foot-5, 256 lbs., Dippre has been known as a blocking tight end during his four years in college. In fact, during an interview at the Senior Bowl, Dippre told The Draft Network that he thinks he's the best in-line blocker in the 2025 draft class. If he can perform well as a blocker, he will likely get some run at fullback, as the experiment of transitioning tight end Jack Westover to the position has been hit or miss this season.
Dippre's elevation could also help New England's defense since defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga has been used at the fullback position. And with Milton Williams now on injured reserve, Tonga is going to be needed more along the defensive line and less on offense.
Needless to say, all eyes will be on Dippre to see if and how he can help the Patriots succeed this weekend.