The New England Patriots made changes to the practice squad as sights set on the 2026 home opener.
The organization added wide receiver Chandler Brayboy and outside linebacker Xavier Holmes to the 17-man group amid a series of moves announced Monday afternoon.
Brayboy, 25, entered the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2025. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound wideout out of Elon spent the duration of his rookie regular season on the practice squad and was waived at the 53-man roster
deadline in August. A former FCS All-American, CAA Special Teams Player of the Year and Phoenix team captain, Brayboy’s collegiate career spanned 55 games and 46 starts dating back to 2019. He accumulated 2,660 receiving yards, 245 rushing yards, 1,568 kickoff return yards and 22 all-purpose touchdowns.
Holmes, 24, attended rookie minicamp as an undrafted tryout in May on the way to signing his first NFL contract with the Patriots. The 6-foot-2, 252-pound outside linebacker was among the initial wave of roster cuts following the club’s preseason finale in August. Holmes checked into 25 games for Maine before transferring to James Madison for his fifth year of NCAA eligibility. Across 14 appearances as a redshirt senior for the Dukes in 2025, he totaled 30 tackles and six sacks to go with one fumble recovery, one interception and one blocked kick.
To make room for Monday’s arrivals, the Patriots released running back Hassan Haskins and safety Elliott Davison from the practice squad.
Haskins, 26, signed with New England on the eve of the preseason opener after visiting for a workout. The 6-foot-2, 228-pound veteran running back was released at the end of August and circled back on the practice squad at its formation. Originally entering the NFL in the fourth round of the 2022 draft at No. 131 overall, Haskins made previous stops with the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers. Through 44 career games, the past first-team All-Big Ten honoree out of Michigan stands with 76 carries for 229 yards, 18 catches for 119 yards, three touchdowns and one start. He has seen 371 snaps on offense and 683 snaps on special teams.
Davison, 24, joined the practice squad in Foxborough shortly after the calendar turned to September. The 6-foot, 200-pound safety entered the NFL in 2025 as an undrafted free agent out of UTSA. He spent his rookie regular season on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad was retained on a futures contract in January. After playing 141 snaps between defense and special teams during his second preseason in the NFC South, the Roadrunners product went through waivers unclaimed at the league’s 53-man roster deadline.
Head coach Mike Vrabel’s 0-1 side of the aisle will host the 1-0 Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday. Kickoff at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.
