New England Patriots - NESN.com
Linebacker Robert Spillane will face his old team on Sunday when the New England Patriots host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.
Spillane isn’t the only player entering Sunday’s matchup against his former squad.
In the wake of five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper’s shocking retirement, the Raiders signed former Patriots wideout Phillip Dorsett to their practice squad on Friday. Unlike Spillane, Dorsett is unlikely to see the field on Sunday, barring an unexpected (and quick) promotion to the active roster.
“#RAIDERS ROSTER MOVES: – Signed WR Justin Shorter to the active roster – Signed WR Phillip Dorsett to the practice squad – Placed WR Amari Cooper on the Reserve/Retired list,” the Raiders media relations department posted on X.
Dorsett spent the first two seasons of his career with the Indianapolis Colts after the team selected him with the 29th overall pick during the 2015 NFL Draft.
The University of Miami product posted career highs in targets (59), receptions (33) and receiving yards (528) with the Colts in 2016 before being traded to the Patriots in September 2017 in exchange for quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Dorsett played 45 regular season games across three campaigns with New England, registering 73 catches for 881 yards and eight touchdowns on 114 targets. Dorsett won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots during the 2018 season and had a career-high five touchdown receptions in 2019.
The 32-year-old has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos since leaving New England.
Dorsett finished the 2023 campaign with no catches on three targets in two games with the Broncos and didn’t appear in any contests last season.
The former first-round pick spent this summer with Las Vegas before being released in late August.
