Pats Pulpit
Familiar faces will meet again Sunday night at Gillette Stadium.
Between the active rosters, practice squads and reserve lists, five players in the fold for the NFL wild-card round have been both New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers during their careers.
From Jim Harbaugh’s sideline to Mike Vrabel’s sideline, here’s a glance through the list ahead of the 8 p.m. ET kickoff to the postseason.
JaQuae Jackson, wide receiver — The 25-year-old Jackson signed with the Chargers heading into training camp. He has resided on the practice squad since clearing waivers at the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline at the end of August. The Patriots marked the previous stop for the wideout. Undrafted by way of Rutgers and California University of Pennsylvania in 2024, Jackson landed in Foxborough that June after being let go by the Atlanta Falcons. He went on to reel in a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Milton III in his preseason debut. Yet after being carted off the following week with a non-contact leg injury, his rookie campaign drew to a close on injured reserve. Subsequently retained as as an exclusive-rights free agent, Jackson was among the organization’s cuts following the 2025 draft arrivals.
Kyle Peko, defensive tackle — The Chargers added Peko to the practice squad in October, and the veteran nose tackle remains there as the playoffs get underway in January. He had agreed to terms with the Patriots in August only to be released leading up to the preseason finale. The 32-year-old out of Cerritos College and Oregon State has appeared in 47 games, including 14 starts, since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2016. His odometer spans 58 tackles, two sacks, two batted passes and one forced fumble through a series of tours around the league. Peko logged 2021 and 2023 stints under a familiar Tennessee Titans coaching staff. He was also with the Las Vegas Raiders during Josh McDaniels’ stay and the Detroit Lions during Terrell Williams’ stay.
Hunter Henry, tight end — Henry totaled 60 receptions for a career-high 768 yards for the AFC East champions. The 31-year-old Patriots captain also led the team seven touchdown catches. He started every game on the way to the No. 2 seed. The reigning recipient of the Ron Burton Community Service Award was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, as well. Henry’s time in Foxborough has stretched 81 appearances in the regular season. Only Rob Gronkowski and Ben Coates stand ahead of him on the franchise’s all-time receptions list among tight ends. The Arkansas product has tallied 259 catches for 2,973 yards and 25 touchdowns since signing as an unrestricted free agent in 2021 and being extended in 2024. The AFC West was where things began for Henry. Taken in the second round of the 2016 draft at No. 35 overall, he earned All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers of America with the...
