The Patriots were busy making moves ahead of Sunday’s season opener with the Philadelphia Eagles.
For starters, running back Ty Montgomery was signed to the 53-man roster. There was an opening thanks to the Patriots officially placing cornerback Jack Jones on injured reserve, which was expected. He will miss at least the first four games of the season due to the hamstring injury he reportedly suffered late in Wednesday’s padded practice.
With the Pats facing a murderer’s row of receiving corps, starting with the Eagles dynamic duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, it’s a tough time to lose Jones, who stands as one of the team’s top corners.
In other moves, the Patriots elevated linebacker Calvin Munson from the practice squad. It’s a standard elevation so he won’t take up a roster spot. Munson performed well throughout the preseason, and is also a key special teams contributor.
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The team also placed quarterback Matt Corral on the exempt/left squad list. Corral didn’t practice Friday for what was listed as “non-injury” reasons. Placing him on the exempt/left squad list allows the team to open up a roster spot without formally releasing him.
Earlier in the day, Bailey Zappe, who had been on the practice squad, was also signed to the 53-man roster to be the No. 2 behind Mac Jones. Zappe essentially took Corral’s spot on the roster.
Montgomery being added to the roster also makes sense on several levels. With only Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott on the 53-man roster the Patriots needed to shore up the running backs room. While lead back Stevenson missed Friday’s practice battling a stomach bug, he’s expected to play.
Montgomery, who missed much of training camp and the preseason due to injury, is mostly a pass-catching back who can line up anywhere. Bill Belichick likes his versatility.
He was signed last season as a free agent, but injury derailed his 2022 campaign.
On Friday, the Patriots also released offensive lineman Conor McDermott, who was on injured reserve, with an injury settlement.
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