The New England Patriots began preparations for the Carolina Panthers with two open spots on the practice squad.
Those spots were filled with the additions of rookie tight end Gee Scott Jr. and veteran offensive lineman Royce Newman on Wednesday.
Scott, 24, arrived in Foxborough as part of the organization’s 2025 undrafted class in May. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound tight end out of Ohio State was waived at the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline and briefly retained on the initial practice squad in August. He
now returns in autumn.
A former wide receiver, Scott saw 48 offensive snaps during the preseason. The national champion appeared in 52 games while a member of the Buckeyes, starting 16. His Big Ten tenure included 47 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns.
Newman, 28, was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft at No. 142 overall. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Ole Miss product has since appeared in 52 games, starting 24, through subsequent stops with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals.
A free agent since the post-training camp cutdown, Newman’s career has spanned 1,721 snaps on offense and 174 snaps on special teams. While spending the majority of his NFL action at right guard, he also brings notable experience at left guard and right tackle.
A pair of 53-man roster departures left a pair of vacancies on the practice squad for head coach Mike Vrabel & Co. After the week began with the New York Jets signing linebacker Mark Robinson, the week continued with the Cleveland Browns signing offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr.
Sunday’s kickoff at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.
