Two veterans from the practice squad made the trip to Orchard Park.
The New England Patriots announced the elevations of cornerback Kindle Vildor and safety Mike Brown on the eve of Sunday’s game against the unbeaten Buffalo Bills. Both are scheduled to revert following the 2026 AFC East opener.
Vildor, 29, picked off one pass during his preseason audition and joined the initial practice squad in Foxborough after being released as a vested vet at the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline. The 5-foot-11, 189-pound
cornerback originally entered the league with the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2020 draft at No. 163 overall.
Stops with the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were logged before signing a one-year deal as an unrestricted free agent in March. Standing 80 games, including 27 starts, into his career, Vildor has had a hand in 140 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two interceptions. His career spans 2,105 snaps on defense and 573 snaps on special teams.
Brown, 27, previously served as a call-up last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound core safety recorded one tackle during the 35-6 loss at EverBank Stadium while handling 12 snaps on defense and 19 snaps on special teams.
Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Brown spent time on the practice squads of the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns before heading to the 53-man roster in Nashville late in his rookie season. The Miami of Ohio product remained a Titan the 2026 league year opened. Not tendered as a restricted free agent, he signed in March and was retained on the practice squad at its formation after being released in August. Now 36 games and a handful of starts into his run, Brown has totaled 61 tackles and two passes defensed across 515 snaps on defense and 779 snaps on special teams.
Three standard elevations are permitted under league rules before 53-man contracts would be required to take the field. Two remain for Vildor. One remains for Brown.
For now, the 1-2 Patriots carry an open spot on the active roster.
The previous AFC East winners officially ruled out defensive tackle Christian Barmore and cornerback Christian Gonzalez after both starters missed three consecutive practices due to shoulder injuries. Fullback Reggie Gilliam, tight end Eli Raridon, offensive tackle Morgan Moses, linebackers Dre’Mont Jones and Christian Elliss, cornerback Channing Canada and safety Craig Woodson move forward as questionable to face the Bills on Sunday.
The divisional kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.
