The New England Patriots’ practice squad has returned to capacity.
The organization announced the signing of linebacker Amari Gainer on Wednesday, bringing the group back to 17 players.
Gainer, 25, entered the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He cleared waivers at the 53-man roster deadline in August and remained unsigned until heading to Foxborough.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Gainer appeared in all 17 games during his rookie season in the AFC West. Seeing 380 snaps on special
teams as well as a dozen snaps off the edges of the defense, the Florida State and North Carolina product was credited with five tackles.
Gainer appeared in 46 games, starting 18, while a member of the Seminoles before transferring to the Tar Heels in 2023 and checking into 13 games as a graduate student. Between the ACC stops, his collegiate career spanned 237 tackles, including 25 for loss, and 8.5 sacks. He also had a hand in six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries on the way to being selected in the fifth round of last year’s UFL draft.
New England held an open spot on the practice squad after veteran running back D’Ernest Johnson, a three-time standard elevation, signed to the 53-man roster last weekend. Linebacker movement has followed, with Caleb Murphy claimed off waivers by the New York Giants and Chad Muma added off the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts.
Head coach Mike Vrabel’s 11-3 team visits the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The flexed kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium is set for 8:20 p.m. ET.
