Pats Pulpit
John Saunders Jr. will be staying in Foxborough.
The New England Patriots have signed the rookie safety to the practice squad, the organization announced Wednesday, after he cleared waivers to become a free agent the afternoon prior.
Saunders, 24, was let go from the 53-man roster at the start of the week to make room for rookie tight end C.J. Dippre’s promotion. The former Miami Redhawk and Ole Miss Rebel had arrived off the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins in October.
After being a healthy scratch for two matchups, Saunders was active for the first time last Thursday night against the New York Jets. On a safety depth chart featuring Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler, he did not record a snap in the 27-14 win at Gillette Stadium.
A player poached from another club’s practice squad is guaranteed a three-week salary and counts against the 53-man roster for that duration of time — even if waived or released earlier.
Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in May, the 6-foot-2, 211-pound Saunders appeared in all three preseason games while on the other side of the AFC East. His August included six tackles as well as an interception before being part of the league’s cutdown deadline. He began the regular season on the practice squad in Miami Gardens.
New England’s practice squad once again stands at its 17-man capacity after recently signing linebacker Otis Reese and re-signing defensive tackle Fabien Lovett Sr.
The club carries an exemption for tight end Thomas Odukoya through the International Player Pathway, while running back Jashaun Corbin and linebacker Darius Harris both currently reside on the practice squad’s injured reserve.
Head coach Mike Vrabel & Co. visit the Cincinnati Bengals for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday at Paycor Stadium.
