Pats Pulpit
Corey Ballentine and Mark Robinson reverted to the New England Patriots’ practice squad on Monday after serving as standard elevations for the season opener.
The 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium saw both handle core roles in the kicking game.
Ballentine, 29, played 20 snaps on special teams and notched an assisted tackle. The veteran cornerback, who aligned across from All-Pro captain Brenden Schooler at gunner, had signed to the practice squad in Foxborough heading into Labor Day weekend. He stands 70 games, including 11 starts, into an NFL run that began in the sixth round of the 2019 draft.
A former Cliff Harris Award winner, Ballentine has totaled 101 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles, one recovery and averaged 23.7 yards per kickoff return in his career. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound Washburn product made previous stops with the New York Giants, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers.
Robinson, 26, logged 14 snaps on special teams in his 2025 debut and had a hand in a pair of stops. The 5-foot-11, 235-pound linebacker also signed to the practice squad shortly after its formation in August. He did so after being waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the 53-man roster deadline.
By way of Presbyterian, Southeast Missouri State and Ole Miss, Robinson spent the past three campaigns in the AFC North. Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft, he stands 39 games into his career and has accrued 47 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles as well as four starts on defense.
Two standard elevations remain for both call-ups before a move to the active roster would be required to take the field.
In additional movement on Monday, defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. cleared waivers after landing among New England’s transactions on the eve of the opener. He has appeared in 28 games, starting a handful, during his tenure with the organization.
The practice squad currently includes an open spot.
