The connections between head coach Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots and head coach Raheem Morris’ Atlanta Falcons remain strong this fall.
Between the active rosters, practice squads and reserve lists,
nine players currently in the fold have spent time with both organizations during their NFL careers.
Here’s a glance through the list of former Patriots and former Falcons ahead of Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium
ATLANTA
Tyrone Wheatley Jr., offensive tackle — On injured reserve for the rest of the campaign, the Falcons waived Wheatley with the injury designation during training camp. The 28-year-old offensive tackle had signed to the practice squad last October and re-upped on a futures contract in January. Two standard elevations arrived in between. Undrafted in 2020 after stops at Michigan, Stony Brook and Morgan State, Wheatley participated in The Spring League before signing his first NFL contracts. And after nearing the 2023 roster deadline with the Cleveland Browns, the converted tight end was acquired in Foxborough in exchange for running back Pierre Strong Jr. From there, Wheatley made the first two appearances of his NFL career on special teams before landing on injured reserve. An injury settlement followed in 2024.
Sam Roberts, defensive tackle — Leading up to the league’s cutdown last year, the Patriots waived Roberts. The defensive lineman out of Northwest Missouri State had arrived at Gillette Stadium in the sixth round of the 2022 draft class at No. 200 overall. He appeared in a dozen games during his time with the organization, making one start and seven tackles across 140 snaps on defense and 38 snaps on special teams. Stints with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers followed. In September, however, he was signed off the latter practice squad and to the 53-man roster. The 27-year-old has since notched his first NFL sack as a Falcon.
Parker Romo, kicker — One ex-Patriots kicker unseated another as Younghoe Koo was released by the Falcons in September. It was the well-traveled Romo who had signed to the practice squad and ultimately the active roster after going 5-of-5 on field goals in his 2025 debut as an elevation. The 28-year-old joined the practice squad at Gillette Stadium late last season and was retained on a futures pact. But the sixth-round investment in Andy Borregales won out despite a strong summer battle that featured a 57-yard conversion. Undrafted by way of Central Arkansas, Tulsa and Virginia Tech, Romo spent time in the XFL and now finds himself with his sixth NFL club.
NEW ENGLAND
Jashaun Corbin, running back — Now on the injured list, the Patriots added Corbin to the practice squad in early October after veteran running back Antonio Gibson sustained a torn ACL. The 25-year-old originally went to the New York Giants as an undrafted rookie out of Texas A&M and Florida State in 2022. He has also been in the fold for the Panthers and Falcons. Handling three catches and one carry through six NFL games, Corbin’s career includes 15 snaps on offense and 118 snaps on special teams. He earned a spot on the All-UFL team in the spring after leading the league in rushing as a member of the San Antonio Brahmas.
Mack Hollins, wide receiver — Hollins has seen the field on offense, defense and special teams as a Patriot. Signed to a two-year deal in March, his stay has included six of starts out wide, multiple key blocks, plus 18 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He led the wide receiver room last Sunday. Entering the NFL in the fourth round of the 2017 draft at No. 118 overall, the North Carolina product earned a Super Bowl LII ring as a rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles. His career has also taken him to Miami Gardens, Las Vegas, Orchard Park and Flowery Branch. The 32-year-old Hollins appeared in 13 games for the 2023 Falcons, logging 251 yards from scrimmage.
Austin Hooper, tight end — The Falcons filled out the Stanford Cardinal’s card in the third round of the 2016 class. No. 81 overall went on to earn a pair of Pro Bowl selections during his time with the club that drafted him. A trip to Super Bowl LI arrived along the way. Hooper’s Atlanta run included 59 games, 28 starts, 214 receptions, 2,244 yards and 16 touchdowns. After departing as a free agent in 2020, the 31-year-old tight end has traveled to the AFC North, AFC West, AFC South and now the AFC East. He’s remained a Patriot on consecutive one-year deals and sits with 57 catches for 630 yards and four touchdowns dating back to the start of 2024.
Khyiris Tonga, defensive tackle — The Patriots signed Tonga to a one-year contract in March. The 29-year-old nose tackle soon became an offseason award winner. That momentum has carried over through eight games and two starts along a defensive line led by Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. His 2025 to date includes 14 tackles as well as one quarterback hit and one batted pass. Two stops for loss, too. Tonga entered the NFL in the seventh round of the 2021 draft at No. 250 overall. The run-stuffing BYU alum spent time on the Falcons’ practice squad from September into October of his sophomore campaign. He exited for a 53-man roster spot with the Minnesota Vikings.
Jaylinn Hawkins, safety — Hawkins has been part of New England’s safety depth chart since 2024. And after missing consecutive games with a hamstring injury this fall, the March re-signing has returned as a full-time starter. Hawkins has notched 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks to go with one fumble recovery and two interceptions. The California product entered the NFL with Atlanta in the fourth round of the 2020 draft at No. 134 overall. From there, his stay spanned 48 games, 22 starts and 124 tackles. It also spanned a split sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and four interceptions. The 28-year-old Hawkins spent a year with the Los Angeles Chargers before heading to Foxborough.
Richie Grant, safety — The Patriots signed Grant to the practice squad halfway through October. A standard elevation followed. The Central Florida product was chosen by the Falcons in the second round of the 2021 draft class at pick No. 40 overall. From there, he started 33 of his 67 appearances and saw 2,479 snaps on defense to go with 1,071 snaps on special teams. Grant tallied 275 tackles as well as three sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over the course of that volume. But the 27-year-old finished his rookie contract on an Atlanta safety depth chart occupied by past All-Pros Justin Simmons and Jessie Bates III. He exited for the San Francisco 49ers in March before being released at the 53-man roster deadline.
