Head coach Mike Vrabel shared Wednesday that the two open spots on the New England Patriots’ active roster have yet to be filled.
But the practice squad in Foxborough has returned to capacity.
The organization signed offensive lineman Da’Metrius Weatherspoon ahead of the AFC East opener at Highmark Stadium, bringing the scout team back to its 17-man limit.
Weatherspoon, 23, entered the NFL with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in May. The 6-foot-6, 319-pounder was waived at the league’s
53-man roster deadline in August. He played 67 snaps between left and right tackle during his rookie preseason.
Beginning his collegiate career at Howard, where HBCU All-American honors arrived in 2023, Weatherspoon transferred to Syracuse for the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. His stay with the Orange brought 25 appearances, including 22 starts, between left tackle, right tackle as well as left guard. Per Pro Football Focus, he conceded four sacks, one quarterback hit and three penalties as a redshirt senior last fall across 817 offensive snaps.
The addition in the trenches comes a day after the Patriots released rookie linebacker Riley Wilson from the practice squad to open a spot.
The 1-2 club lost starting right guard Mike Onwenu to injured reserve last week after he sustained a broken ankle against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His replacement, veteran August addition Greg Van Roten, has since landed on injured reserve due to a thigh injury that arose against the Jacksonville Jaguars. And at right tackle, captain Morgan Moses did not finish the 35-6 loss at EverBank Stadium on the heels of being limited by a foot injury.
Sunday’s kickoff in Orchard Park is set for 1 p.m. ET.
