The St. Louis Rams signed defensive tackle Marcus Forston on Saturday and waived running back Terrence Franks.

Forston, 25, had bounced on and off the New England Patriots' practice squad since he was undrafted out of Miami in 2012.

He last played in an NFL game in 2013, when he played in four for the Patriots.

Franks was an undrafted rookie out of Texas State.


(kccl.com)

In addition to third-year NFL proCanes DL Marcus Forston and WR Tommy Streeter who were cut earlier this week by the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers respectively, rookie DL Justin Renfrow has been cut by the Arizona Cardinals, third-year pro Adewale Ojomo was cut by the Dallas Cowboys and veteran LB Spencer Adkins was cut by the New York Giants.

The Patriots have made yet another roster move at the tight end position, announcing the release of D.J. Williams on Thursday.

A fourth-year pro from Arkansas, Williams appeared in two games for New England in the 2013 regular season. He has also played for Jacksonville (2013) and Green Bay (2011-2012).

The Packers selected the 25-year-old Williams in the fifth round in 2011. He reportedly has dealt with a leg injury of late.

The move leaves the Patriots with four tight ends.

The Patriots also announced the release of defensive lineman Marcus Forston, a second-year pro who played in three games for New England a season ago.
The Pats have three open roster spots.


(profootballtalk.com)

I made the team my rookie year [in 2012], then I got released and put on the practice squad in the middle of the season. That was definitely tough. But in the NFL it depends what you need on the team. You can’t take it personally.

There are some guys that bounce around and go to other teams. I’m still with the same team, going on my third year. It kind of makes you feel good when a team wants you back. But it’s kind of a little frustrating, too, when you’re going up and down.

The way I take [my job on the practice squad] and the way the coaches here tell you to take it is that what you do is just as important as what the guys that are playing do. We’re giving them the offensive look [of the opposing team] or the defensive look. If you’re out there slacking and not giving a good look, then you’re not preparing them to do a great job.

Any time you have experience, it’s good. When I was a rookie, everything would happen so fast. You don’t know what to expect. You don’t know what’s good. You don’t know what’s bad. You’ve got to catch it on the fly. Right now, I’m going into [the preseason] and I know what I need to do. There’s no shortcuts when you’re with the Patriots.

When I’m not training I try to spend time with my wife, because during the season it’s crazy and we don’t really have that much time. I got married March 2. So we’re newlyweds, but we’ve been dating since 10th grade. She’s a baker. A lot of guys on the team love her baking. Sometimes I’ve got to slow her down. She knows right now that it’s crunch time. So, she’s cooking a lot of healthy stuff.    


(bosotnglobe.com)

The Patriots have now signed their entire practice squad to future contracts.

Defensive lineman Marcus Forston signed his deal today, according to a source, after the other seven practice squad members got their contracts yesterday.

Forston has been with the Patriots on both the active roster and practice squad for two seasons.


(boston.com)

The Patriots signed seven of their eight practice squadders to future contracts: offensive linemen Braxston Cave and R.J. Mattes, tackle Jordan Devey, wide receivers Reggie Dunn and Greg Orton, running back Sam McGuffie and linebacker Taylor Reed. Defensive lineman Marcus Forston was the only practice squadder who didn’t get a deal.

McGuffie, who played running back at Michigan before transferring to Rice to become a slot receiver, signed with the Pats practice squad Dec. 27.

“It’s incredible going from off the street to the New England Patriots,” he said today. “It’s kind of been a dream. I’ve wanted to be here all along.”

McGuffie said the Pats have used him at both running back and receiver.

“Wherever they need a guy, I’ll go there,” he said. “I don’t really know as far as the future. Whatever they need at practice, I’ll do that.”


(bostonherald.com)

FOXBOORUGH, Mass. -- On Thursday, we passed along word that practice squad cornerback Justin Green was being paid at a rate of $10,000 per week, up from the minimum practice squad standard of $6,000 per week ($170,000 over a full season versus $102,000).

He's now joined by defensive tackle Marcus Forston and offensive lineman Braxton Cave, who are also being paid the increased rate of $10,000 per week.

Forston has played in three games this season, registering three total tackles. He was recently waived from the active roster and re-signed to the practice squad. He's bounced back and forth between the active roster and practice squad since being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Miami following the 2012 draft.

Upping the salary of a practice squad player is often a reflection of how the team values the player, and sometimes is motivated by other teams around the league that have interest in signing said player to their active roster. Teams will up the salary of their practice squadders to encourage them to stay put as opposed to departing for another organization; it's up to the player to decide what he wishes to do.

With the regular season winding down, some of the teams that are near the bottom of the standings and with an eye towards the future will attempt to sign practice squad players as developmental prospects to work with both at the end of this season and into the offseason.


(espn.com)

The Patriots announced Thursday they have re-signed defensive lineman Marcus Forston and defensive back Justin Green to the practice squad. Both players were released by the Patriots on Tuesday.

Forston, 24, was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Oct. 12, the day before the New Orleans game. He has played in three games as a reserve and registered three total tackles. Forston was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent on May 10, 2012 out of Miami. The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder made the 53-man roster of training camp as a rookie but was released early in the season and brought back to the practice squad, where he spent the majority of the season. He eventually re-joined the 53-man roster prior to the AFC Championship Game but was inactive for the contest. Forston made his NFL debut as a defensive reserve at Baltimore on Sept. 23, 2012. He went to training camp with the Patriots this past summer but was released on Aug. 31 and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1.


(weei.com)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Newly promoted Patriots defensive lineman Marcus Forston took a break from battling offensive lineman during practice to visit Cameron Middle School in Framingham, Mass on Tuesday as part of the New England Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism initiative. He visited with students from the school who take part in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to speak about the importance and the value of mentoring.

“My mom was my mentor. Everything she has done despite not having a job that paid a lot or being able to pay for me to go to college, she made sure I got good grades and stayed on top of [my work] so that I could earn the scholarship that I did to the University of Miami. Mentoring is important because you can make an impact on someone’s life. I know me going [to Cameron Middle School] is challenging myself to go there and change at least one kid’s life.”

The day was a change of pace for both Forston and the students, who traded in their pencils and notebooks for an hour of fun competition against a professional athlete. The day started with introductions and a few speeches, but competitive nature quickly took over and the kids were showing off their skills at all manner of events, including cups stacking and crab walk races. Forston was determined not to be left out either, and he participated in a spirited crab-walk race and cup stacking competition -with his feet.

And while the event fostered a spirit of fun and games, the day was really about celebrating volunteers that have worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of youth in their community as mentor leaders. Forston understands the importance of mentorship and the role it can play in the development of a child.

“Mentoring means a lot, but it doesn’t have to [come from] someone older than you, because you learn from a lot of people. You can learn from the kids that your mentoring,” explained Forston. “A lot times we don’t understand and we don’t know what a person is going through. Instead of just giving advice on life and school and everything like that, we can get advice on what keeps them positive through their tough times.”

Forston might still be getting acclimated along the Patriots defensive line, but he has a good mentor of his own to help him with his transition to life in the NFL and as a role model in the community. He played the along the same defensive line at the University of Miami that current teammate Vince Wilfork did over 10 years ago. Wilfork has been an active member of the New England community with his wife Bianca since his arrival to the team, and has provided Forston with an outlet for questions of frustrations.

“I met [Vince] my sophomore year of college when he came back to the school. Right then and there we connected and exchanged numbers. My whole time through college we always talked the night before the game and he would tell me what I need to work on.”

The event Tuesday served as a positive example of the good that mentoring, and in the grander scheme of things, volunteering can inject into a community. You couldn’t miss the bright white smiles that lit up the Cameron Middle School Gymnasium, and the laughs that filled the room were enough to even bring a smile to the onlookers. But the gleaming example that was witnessed Tuesday also shed light on the need for more volunteers. At the heart of this initiative, that is what the New England organization is looking to do; inspire Patriots fans and members of the New England community to go out and make a difference in their community by volunteering.

Tuesday’s visit to Cameron Middle School was part of the Patriots Charitable Foundation’s ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, which recognizes deserving volunteers and encourages Patriots fans to give back in their communities. For more information about Celebrate Volunteerism and for a complete list of future initiatives, go to www.patriots.com/community.


(patriots.com)

 If defensive lineman Marcus Forston is about to get the call up from the practice squad, he sure sounds like a guy who doesn't know it.

 Doing his best Sgt. Schultz ("I know nothing"), the Patriots' practice squad member said he hasn't been informed of the team's plans in the wake of defensive lineman Vince Wilfork's right Achilles tendon injury.

For the time being, Forston said he'll just keep plugging away on the practice squad, which has two defensive linemen -- him and A.J. Francis -- on it”

"(I'm) just looking at everything as a blessing," said Forston. "There's a lot of guys wishing they were in the position I'm in now. Even though it's on the practice squad, I'm still in this position, living in my dream and hopefully getting better and hopefully some changes as far as me getting better and showing the coaches I'm ready to play on Sundays."

 Forston said he has spoken to Wilfork since he went down in Atlanta.

"I've talked to him," said Forston. "(He's) just basically telling me to stay positive and continue to do what I do," said Forston.


(wickedlocal.com)

ATLANTA -- It's the obvious question: Who might the Patriots sign to fill the considerable void created with Vince Wilfork reportedly tearing his Achilles?

Most likely option. A practice-squad promotion for first-year player Marcus Forston or rookie A.J. Francis.

Forston is a University of Miami alum who has been mentored by Wilfork, also a Miami alum. The Patriots liked Francis enough to claim him on waivers from the Dolphins at the final roster cutdown. Either player would add depth behind Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano and Chris Jones, who are already on the roster.

If the Patriots stay in-house, the biggest trickle-down effect is that it will likely mean an increased role for Vellano, who opened the year as the third tackle. The undrafted rookie from Maryland averaged 26 defensive snaps per game through Week 3. His snaps obviously spiked considerably higher than that on Sunday night.

Vellano (6-foot-2, 300 pounds), a hard-working player who might be considered undersized by NFL standards but who wins with technique (e.g. third-quarter sack versus Peter Konz on Sunday), was one of the surprise stories of training camp.

Armstead another in-house option, but status unclear. First-year player Armond Armstead, who isn’t eligible to practice until after the sixth week because he’s on the reserve/non-football illness list, is more of a wild card. It is unclear if the former Canadian Football League player, who the Patriots were initially counting on as a No. 3 option at defensive tackle before he underwent surgery for an infection before training camp, will be ready to help the team this year.

Those with past connections. Kyle Love and Ron Brace remain free agents, and while the Patriots released both players in hopes of moving on, perhaps the team would now view them differently with Wilfork injured. In more of a long-shot scenario, Richard Seymour would also fall into that category.

The pure nose tackle type. Similar to when the Patriots traded for Ted Washington in 2003, and then brought in Keith Traylor in 2004, the Patriots could tap the veteran market for a big-bodied, two-down nose tackle type. Would someone like longtime Pittsburgh anchor Casey Hampton have anything left, assuming he'd even be interested? The concern, in general terms, is that an older, bigger nose tackle who hasn't been in a training camp usually is often viewed as a greater injury risk. That's why this is viewed as a less likely option than an internal promotion.


(espn.com)

It appears the Patriots have figured out that the only way to make young players step up is to throw them into the fire. The most notable example of this is at wide receiver, where Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce are all receiving first-team reps.

It’s also happening at defensive tackle. Beyond starters Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly, second-year player Marcus Forston is the longest-tenured player on the roster. Forston played in one game last season. Rookies Cory Grissom, Joe Vellano, Anthony Reshad White and Scott Vallone fill out the depth on the interior defensive line. Because the unit is so shallow, Forston and Grissom have been forced to take first-team snaps.

If Wilfork or Kelly have to miss any time this season, those players could be thrust into a starting role. Regardless, the third- and fourth-stringers on the team will play. No defensive tackle in the NFL can play 100 percent of a team’s snaps. And while, like last season, defensive ends will fill in at defensive tackle on third down and in sub packages, Forston and whoever else makes the team will need to be in a rotation with Wilfork and Kelly next season.

Yes, even if the team is running a 3-4. Whether the team is aligning in a 3-4 or 4-3, there will be at least two interior linemen on the field in the base defense. Wilfork will play the one-technique defensive tackle role in a 4-3 and the zero-technique (or nose tackle) in the 3-4. Kelly will play the three-technique defensive tackle role in a 4-3, and he’ll kick over to play the five-technique defensive end in the 3-4. So far in practice, it appears one of the defensive ends (usually Chandler Jones) plays the other five-technique role in the 3-4.

The Patriots must have faith in Forston, Grissom and Vellano, because they cut Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick in the same week in May. Armond Armstead was still part of the mix at that point, but we haven’t seen the CFL import since minicamp. Armstead would be valuable added depth to such a shallow, young group, but, according to a cryptic email sent out by the Patriots, Armstead is recovering from surgery for an infection. The email stated Armstead would recover fully but did not include a timetable or even say what part of his body the surgery was performed on. Armstead had a heart attack while at USC and told the media he was still seeing doctors to monitor the situation during rookie minicamp. When asked if Armstead’s inclusion on the non-football illness list was related to Armstead’s past heart condition, Belichick said it was different.

That may or may not mean it’s completely different (a different body part) or that it’s unrelated, but still pertaining to the heart. Basically, like most things with the Patriots, we have no idea. But what we do know is Armstead could really help this group. He could have been as high as a second- or third-round pick coming out of USC before the heart issues. He was a CFL All-Star last season for the Toronto Argonauts, compiling 43 tackles and six sacks. But until we know if, and when, Armstead is returning, the battle between Forston, Grissom, Vellano, Vallone and White for the remaining roster spots wages on. So far, Forston and Grissom have the upper hand. That makes sense, too. Vellano and Vallone are undersized, and White was released by the Steelers just weeks after being signed as an undrafted free agent. He didn’t get signed by the Patriots until 2 1/2 months later.

Forston and Grissom also have the ability to play either interior line position in a 4-3 or 3-4. They have the size to play the nose and the pass-rushing ability to play three- and five-technique. We’ll know much better how good Forston, Grissom and the rest of the young defensive tackles are after Friday’s preseason game. Vellano is the third-most-likely candidate to crack the Week 1 roster. He’s undersized (listed at 300 pounds, but he looks slimmer), but he’s shown some impressive moves during one-on-one drills. He piled up 13 1/2 sacks in three seasons at Maryland, so he has a history of getting into the backfield. But if Vellano’s biggest strength is getting into the backfield, that may not interest the Patriots much.

Last season, Jermaine Cunningham slid over to defensive tackle in sub packages. Justin Francis also took snaps at defensive tackle last year, and during training camp, Marcus Benard has been playing inside. It appears Bill Belichick likes to add a little speed at defensive tackle in obvious passing situations. That eliminates the need for a pure three-technique rusher on the roster. There’s still plenty of time left before the season starts, but for now, it looks like the Patriots are content with a couple of young undrafted free agents playing behind Wilfork and Kelly. Even with four preseason games still on the docket, time is running out for Armstead to get back on the field to compete for snaps. He could stay on the non-football injury list to begin the season, but that would mean he would have to miss the first six games of the season. Forston has looked impressive so far during training camp, and we’ll see how he holds up in preseason.


(nesn.com)

In all, as many as 212 players will participate in the AFC and NFC championship games on Sunday – four teams, 53 players per team. When including players not on the active rosters of the four teams playing for a shot at the Super Bowl, however, the total jumps to more than 250.

The schools represented on the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens range from college football's elite (Alabama, Ohio State, Texas and Florida) to those situated far outside the national picture (Hillsdale, Bellhaven, Lane and Indiana).

Here are the eight schools most represented by the four teams playing Sunday for a trip to the Super Bowl:

1. Miami (Fla.): 12. P Matt Bosher, OL Harland Gunn, DL Micanor Regis (Atlanta); LB Tavares Gooden, RB Frank Gore (San Francisco); DL Vince Wilfork, DL Marcus Forston (New England); LB Ray Lewis, OL Bryant McKinnie, RB Damien Berry, WR Tommy Streeter, S Ed Reed (Baltimore).

2. (tie) Oregon: 7. WR Drew Davis (Atlanta); RB LaMichael James, FB Will Tukuafu (San Francisco); TE Ed Dickson, DL Haloti Ngata, QB Dennis Dixon (Baltimore).

2. (tie) Florida: 7. LB Mike Peterson (Atlanta); DL Ray McDonald (San Francisco); DL Jermaine Cunningham, RB Jeff Demps, TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes (New England); WR Deonte Thompson (Baltimore).

4. (tie) Alabama: 6. OL Mike Johnson, WR Julio Jones (Atlanta); DL Brandon Deaderick, LB Dont'a Hightower (New England); DL Terrence Cody, LB Courtney Upshaw (Baltimore).

4. (tie) Iowa: 6. DL Jonathan Babineaux (Atlanta); LB Jeff Tarpinian, TE Brad Herman, OL Markus Zusevics (New England); S Sean Considine, OL Marshal Yanda (Baltimore).

4. (tie) Texas: 6. OL Justin Blalock (Atlanta); CB Tarell Brown, OL Leonard Davis (San Francisco); OL Kyle Hix (New England); CB Chykie Brown, K Justin Tucker (Baltimore).

4. (tie) South Carolina: 6. DL John Abraham, DL Cliff Matthews, DL Travian Robertson, CB Dunta Robinson (Atlanta); S Emanuel Cook, CB Chris Culliver (Baltimore).

4. (tie) Ohio State: 6. OL Alex Boone, WR Ted Ginn Jr., LB Larry Grant, S Donte Whitner (San Francisco); TE Jake Ballard, S Nate Ebner (New England).
Another eight schools have five players on the rosters: Arizona State, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, UCF, Rutgers, Syracuse and Illinois.

Teams with four players: Oklahoma State, Marshall, Michigan, Fresno State, Utah, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, Louisville, LSU and Georgia Tech.

Three players: Auburn, Wisconsin, Maryland, California, Wake Forest, Florida State, Penn State, Kansas, Purdue, Northwestern, Texas Tech and Arkansas.

Two players: Baylor, Michigan State, Stanford, Boston College, Clemson, Connecticut, ECU, Oregon State, Richmond, San Jose State, Kentucky, Montana, North Carolina, Northern Illinois, TCU, UCLA, Notre Dame, Central Michigan, Delaware, Iowa State, Colorado, Tennessee State, Nebraska, Buffalo, Arizona and Washburn.

Luck of the draw plays a role, of course, but it's a bit surprising to see that schools like Virginia Tech, USC, Oklahoma and Texas A&M only have one player each on the four rosters. Not surprising? That one player represents schools like Prairie View A&M, Lane, Harvard, Weber State, Chadron State (Danny Woodhead), Hillsdale and Hofstra (which no longer has a football program).


(usatoday.com)

The Patriots have promoted defensive tackle Marcus Forston from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced. Forston fills the spot on the 53-man roster that was recently vacated when the Patriots placed tight end Rob Gronkowski on injured reserve.

After going undrafted out of Miami in 2012, Forston was signed by the Patriots as a free agent, and was one of three undrafted free agents to make the active roster coming out of training camp.

Forston remained on the 53-man roster for three regular season games before being waived and re-signed to the team's practice squad. Incidentally, Forston appeared in just one game earlier this season, a Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, who the Patriots host tomorrow in the AFC Championship.

The Patriots have relied heavily upon a three-man defensive tackle throughout 2012, led by Vince Wilfork. After having Kyle Love alongside him as a starter earlier in the season, Brandon Deaderick has emerged as the team's second interior defensive line starter.


(espn.com)

The Patriots have promoted defensive tackle Marcus Forston from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced. Forston fills the spot on the 53-man roster that was recently vacated when the Patriots placed tight end Rob Gronkowski on injured reserve.

Forston made the team’s initial roster out of training camp, was inactive for the first two games of the season, then played eight snaps in the Patriots’ 31-30 loss to the Ravens on Sept. 23. He was waived after that game and landed on the practice squad, where he’s worked behind the scenes all season, at one time filling in along the offensive line in practice when bodies were thin.

After a strong sophomore season in 2010 at the University of Miami, Forston (6-2, 310) was viewed as a potential high draft choice but a knee injury in 2011 limited him to three games and he wound up going undrafted.

The Patriots have had success with undrafted players in recent years, and Forston, who grew up in Miami, hopes to add his name to the list. He shared his “football journey” with ESPNBoston.com this week:

When he first started playing football: “When I was 6. I started playing because my older brother was, and my mom got me into it. I was always heavier than the guys my age.”

First positions: “Running back and linebacker.”

Role models growing up: “My mom [Pearline Simmons], seeing her and the things she did raising six kids basically by herself. She was never complaining, even though she had a job that wasn’t paying her very much. We still made it work. We always food on the table. We always had clean clothes; they might not have been new, but they were clean. Just seeing the things she went through, I always said I would never complain. I knew the situation she was in my whole life. So the situation I’m in now, even though it’s practice squad, is amazing.”

How his upbringing shaped him: “Anybody that meets me, or knows me, the first thing I think people would say is, ‘He’s humble.’ I’ve always been like that. I’m always going to be, because I know everything that is happening to me right now is truly a blessing. I’m thankful and grateful for this opportunity. Sometimes it’s frustrating being on the practice squad, because as a competitor, you want to play. I just have to do my part and control what I can control.”

Favorite teams and players growing up: “I watched Warren Sapp coming up and liked the Dolphins.”

Favorite memories at Northwestern High School: “Winning state championships back to back, my 11th grade and 12th grade year.”

Attending the University of Miami: “It was always Miami, growing up down there and watching guys like Vince [Wilfork] play. I remember him being dominant and I wanted to go there and do the same thing he did. I always liked playing against Florida State, that whole week preparing to play them.”

Expectations of being selected in the 2012 draft: “I thought I would. It was hard not getting drafted, but then you think, ‘What do I do now?’ I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I was like, ‘Maybe it isn’t God’s plan.’ But look at me now, I’m still here, part of a great team.”

A knee injury affecting his draft stock: “Coming into my [fourth] year [in 2011], everyone had me going first round, second round. Then I messed my knee up and had to get surgery. That dropped my stock. I only played [three] games and that hurt me a lot. … I think I’m way stronger now.”

Describing life as a Patriot: “A tremendous experience. From Day 1, you know that you have to change. Whatever you thought you were doing right, you have to change it. You come here and they teach you to be a professional, on and off the field. Nobody around here takes any bull. Nobody accepts that. You have to be on time, be early, do the right things.”

Reflecting on his one NFL game, against the Ravens: “That was a great experience, a Sunday night game, prime time. It was something I always dreamed about. Being a football fan, you know what kind of game that is, and what type of magnitude comes with that game.”

Spending the year on the practice squad: “I accepted my role. I’m not complaining, and coming in every day working hard, giving 110 percent. I’m going against a great offensive line and I’ll use that to make me better. When my name gets called, it gets called. You can only control what you can control, which is in the weight room and on the field.”

What he loves about football: “Just the excitement and preparing. I feel like football gets you ready for things out of this locker room -- things like ‘be on time’, ‘be early.’ One day you might have to get a job. These days here, the same amount of work you put into football, you’d put into the other job too.”

Describing his style of play: “I pride myself on being smart. I know the game well, and I like to help teammates out watching film and pointing things out and picking up tendencies.”

Summing up his football journey: “Coming up all the way from elementary to the middle of high school, I didn’t know the effect I had on some kids. I came out of high school highly recruited and a lot of kids looked up to me and I didn’t really understand it. When I went to college, and even now, kids will say to me, ‘Maybe I can do that. Maybe I can come out of the same projects and still have a dream like you dreamed.’ My mom and dad didn’t have the money for college, but I knew I couldn’t make any excuses.”


(espn.com)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Defensive linemen Jake Bequette and Marcus Forston were among four Patriots named practice players of the week for Sunday's win over the Dolphins.

It's the fourth time each player has been honored this season, tying them with quarterback Ryan Mallett (who was also honored this week) for second place behind defensive end Justin Francis (five awards).

Forston has spent most of the season on the practice squad, and after defensive tackle Ron Brace was waived on Saturday, he would seemingly be the next man up if the Patriots decide they need another interior defensive lineman.

Receiver Jeremy Ebert, who returned to the practice squad in late November, earned his first black practice jersey of the season. Ebert was a seventh-round pick of New England in 2012.

The practice player of the week goes to the players whom the coaching staff feels best prepared the team in the days leading up to a victory.


(espn.com)