Glenn Gronkowski

NFL Workout Updates: 10/10/17

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Oakland Raiders

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Patriots Reach 53-Man Max

The Patriots made a massive amount of cuts on Saturday to reach the 53-man limit. Most of the cuts were expected, but there were a few surprises in the bunch.

Released:

Waived:

Karras was widely projected to be the team’s top backup on the interior line, so his release comes as a surprise. The 24-year-old was drafted by the Pats in the sixth round of the 2016 draft and played in all 16 regular season games last year. He also appeared in all three playoff games as a reserve.

O’Shaughnessy, acquired via trade in April, was competing for the third tight end spot. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder has played in 23 NFL games with six starts.

Patriots Sign Baby Gronk To Futures Deal

Glenn Gronkowski is back in the building. The Patriots announced that they have signed the fullback to a futures deal.

The 6-foot-3, 234-pounder was signed by the Bills as a UDFA and was even on the 53-man roster for Week 1. He was cut soon after, however, and he went on to have four different stints on the Patriots’ practice squad. Gronkowski, 22, was thought to be in limbo earlier this month when the Pats signed nine others to futures deals. It took an extra week, but Baby Gronk is back in the fold with New England.

Here is the full list of all ten players now signed to futures deals with the Pats:

Patriots Sign Nine To Reserve/Futures Contracts

Patriots coach Bill Belichick started a “no days off!” chant during today’s victory parade, and that sentiment was confirmed hours later when the team announced that they had signed the majority of their practice squad to reserve/futures contracts (via Patriots.com):

Rob Housler (Vertical)The team also inked tight end Rob Housler to a contract. The team didn’t sign fullback Glenn Gronkowski or wideout DeAndrew White, although that could change in the coming days or weeks.

Housler is probably the most notable name on the list, as the tight end has five NFL seasons under his belt. The former third-round pick was actually a staple in the Cardinals lineup from 2011 through 2014, averaging nearly 14 games a season. The tight end was especially productive in 2012 and 2013, combining for 84 receptions, 871 yards, and one touchdown in 28 games. Since then, the tight end bounced between the Bears and Browns before sitting out the entire 2016 campaign.

Otherwise, Kilgo has the most experience having played in 18 games for the Broncos between 2015 and 2016. Douglas (16 games, six starts), Barker (five games), Hamilton (three games), and Bates (one game) have also seen the field for at least one NFL game. Both Gaffney and Lucien proved to be intriguing prospects for the Patriots during this past preseason.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/2/16

Friday’s practice squad changes:

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: QB Joe Callahan
  • Cut: WR Dez Stewart

Indianapolis Colts

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/16/16

Wednesday’s practice squad changes:

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: WR Marcus Leak (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of FOX59)
  • Cut: G Adam Redmond

Kansas City Chiefs

New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: WR Kenny Lawler (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/7/16

Today’s practice squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Houston Texans

  • Signed: TE RaShaun Allen

New England Patriots

San Diego Chargers

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/16

Today’s practice squad moves:

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

New England Patriots

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/16

Earlier today, the Steelers made a notable practice squad move when they signed running back Karlos Williams. Here’s the rest of today’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals 

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: OL Anthony Fabiano

Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Oakland Raiders

Washington Redskins

Patriots Sign Glenn Gronkowski To Taxi Squad

The Patriots have added another member of the Gronkowski family to their organization, as they’ve agreed to sign fullback Glenn Gronkowski to their practice squad, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Glenn, of course, is the younger brother of New England tight end Rob Gronkowski.Glenn Gronkowski (vertical)

[RELATED: Patriots Sign Greg Scruggs, Cut John Hughes]

The younger Gronkowski signed with the AFC East rival Bills this year as an undrafted free agent from Kansas State and cracked their Week 1 roster, but the team cut him after its opening loss to the Ravens. Gronkowski auditioned for the Patriots in mid-September, and the club has now decided to add him to their taxi squad.

In order to create a practice squad roster spot for Gronkowski, the Patriots have cut wide receiver Da’Ron Brown, according to Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter link). New England had just signed Brown earlier this week.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.