After missing their top linebacker against the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots are adding more depth to the position.
On Tuesday, the team signed veteran linebacker Chad Muma off the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad. Muma, 26, played in five games this season, making five tackles. He’ll add more depth to the Patriots linebacker room with Robert Spillane dealing with a foot injury.
Muma was drafted in the third round by the Jacksonville Jaguars with pick No. 70 in the 2022 NFL Draft. At the time, Muma was considered one of the top linebackers in that draft class.
Muma played in 50 games, making seven starts, with the Jaguars in his first three NFL seasons. His best season came in his rookie year when he finished with 47 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three quarterback hits. Muma played in all 17 games for Jacksonville during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The linebacker from Wyoming was more of a core special teamer for the Jaguars. It was the same this season in the five games he played for the Colts. Muma played 71 special teams snaps compared to 32 defensive snaps in five games for Indianapolis. He’s played 911 special teams snaps and 722 defensive snaps in his four-year-NFL career.
For the Patriots, Muma replaces linebacker Charles Murphy, who was waived on Monday. He’ll add more depth behind Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, and Jahlani Tavai on defense.
On Sunday, the Patriots didn’t have Spillane, who was active but didn’t play a snap due to a foot injury. His absence was missed with the Patriots struggling to stop Bills running backs and tight ends.
On Monday, Vrabel noted the Patriots lacked depth at linebacker.
“There’s not a lot of depth there, outside of him,” Vrabel said. “Could’ve had a few guys up (from the practice squad), but didn’t really think that was going to have an impact on the game-day roster.”
The Patriots attempted to fix that depth issue by signing Muma on Tuesday.
