Patriots Adding 2023 Draft Pick to Roster Ahead of Week 2

The New England Patriots shocked the football world in Week 1 by pulling off an improbable road win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite struggling with injuries to key players on both ends of the field, the Patriots came up big, especially defensively, holding the Bengals to 224 total yards.

Even though the Patriots defense performed well above expectations on Sunday, there is still a need for more depth. Christian Barmore is out indefinitely with blood clots and Armon Watts is on the IR list, creating a hole in the defensive tackle rotation. GM Eliot Wolf addressed the need on Tuesday. According to Boston Herald's Doug Kyed, the Patriots signed Jaquelin Roy to practice squad.

NFL News: Patriots Sign DT Jaquelin Roy to Practice Squad

Roy had a successful workout with the team earlier in the week. The former LSU standout was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and spent his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings. He appeared in 12 games (1 start) and registered eight tackles and one QB hit. In the 95 snaps he saw in 2023, he received a 58.3 grade on PFF.

At LSU, Roy played 35 games in three seasons. He had 97 tackles and four sacks in those games.

The 23-year-old defender was cut right before the roster cutdown deadline and has been a free agent since.

Keion White, Daniel Ekuale, and Davon Godchaux will continue to see majority of the snaps at defensive tackle but another unexpected injury could open the door for Roy to be elevated to the active roster.

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