Patriots, Broncos Had Discussed A.J. Derby Trade Before
- The Patriots had discussed an A.J. Derby trade with the Broncos before the regular season began, so the two side had a basis on which to build when they ultimately struck a deal to send the tight end to Denver last week, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. The Broncos had been interested in Derby as far back as the 2015 draft, but New England wasn’t ready to move him earlier this year. The Patriots were able to recoup a fifth-round pick for Derby, which Reiss reports was viewed as a strong return around the league.
Pats Preparing For FA Losses; Brissett Could Return From IR
- Ben Volin of the Boston Globe opines that the Patriots‘ recent trades for Kyle Van Noy and Eric Rowe indicate that the team is preparing for significant free agent losses this offseason. Both players are under club control through at least 2017, and they are playing on fairly inexpensive deals. Van Noy will serve as insurance should one or both of Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower depart in free agency, and Rowe will offset the potential losses of Malcolm Butler and/or Logan Ryan.
- Volin tweets that Jacoby Brissett could be the Patriots‘ one player to return from IR this season.
Patriots Notes: Van Noy, Gaffney, Sankey
- The Patriots‘ trade for linebacker Kyle Van Noy could be the club guarding against free agent losses, writes Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, who points out that both Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins are headed for the open market next spring. New England made a similar move before the season, dealing for cornerback Eric Rowe, who can help protect against possible defections by Malcolm Butler or Logan Ryan.
- The Patriots opted to promote running back Tyler Gaffney from the practice squad instead of fellow RB Bishop Sankey, and there could be several reasons for that decision, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Gaffney offers more a power-back look than Sankey, and also plays on special teams, a trait that head coach Bill Belichick values. Additionally, Gaffney could be easier to sneak back through waivers, whereas Sankey could be claimed.
Patriots Promote RB Tyler Gaffney
The Patriots have promoted running back Tyler Gaffney from the practice squad to the active roster, the club announced today. Because it had already had an empty roster spot, New England did not need to make a corresponding transaction.
[RELATED: Dion Lewis Returns To Practice]
Gaffney, 25, was a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft, but various injuries have left him unable to appear in a single game during his career. The Patriots claimed Gaffney off waivers from the Panthers during his rookie season, and stashed him on injured reserve in each of the next two years. After being waived with an injury settlement in September, Gaffney signed on with New England’s practice squad in mid-October.
If he’s active on Sunday against the Bills, Gaffney will serve as a depth option behind LeGarrette Blount, James White, Brandon Bolden, and D.J. Foster, while also likely playing on special teams. Gaffney’s roster spot could be in danger if and when Dion Lewis returns from the PUP list — Lewis returned to practice earlier this week, meaning the Patriots have a three-week window during which they can activate Lewis.
Given that Gaffney went unsigned for more than a month earlier this year, the Patriots likely believe they can pass him through waivers and place him back on the taxi squad if Lewis comes back soon, as Doug Kyed of NESN tweets.
Bill Belichick Finding It Increasingly Difficult To Make Trades
- Patriots coach Bill Belichick is typically active on the trade front, and the team even managed to pull off a pair of deals earlier this week. However, the head coach acknowledged that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to pull off these swaps. “I mean, you know, there are a lot of teams that don’t … they seem kind of reluctant to trade — this time of year, especially,” Belichick told Phil Perry of CSNNE.com.
[SOURCE LINK]
Patriots RB Dion Lewis Returns To Practice
Patriots running back Dion Lewis returned to practice today, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Now that he has taken the practice field, the Patriots’ 21-day window for activation has begun. 
Lewis was placed on the PUP list in late August as he continued his rehab his knee. Lewis was a key cog of New England’s offense before his ACL tear, rushing 49 times for 234 yards and catching 36 passes for 388 yards. He also scored four total touchdowns, two through the air and two on the ground. After healing up from ACL surgery this summer, Lewis suffered an additional setback in his knee which also required an operation.
With Lewis sidelined, the Pats have leaned on LeGarrette Blount and James White to power the running game. While they have done a capable job for the 6-1 Patriots, a healthy Lewis would give the backfield a major boost.
Latest On Lions Coaching Situation
Jim Caldwell‘s seat was looking pretty hot earlier this month, but talk of a coaching change in Detroit has cooled now that the Lions are on a three-game winning streak. However, things change quickly in the NFL and there’s no guarantee that Caldwell will be back in 2017 if the Lions cannot keep it up in the second half. If there is a head coaching change, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com hears that Lions GM Bob Quinn would probably consider Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. 
In a scenario where McDaniels was hired as the Lions’ head coach, current offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter would probably be squeezed out. Given how well Cooter has worked with quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Lions are likely eager to hang on to their OC. And, at the young age of 32, Cooter can probably be kept as OC for at least a few more years.
Of course, the Lions are going to have to make a serious commitment to keep Stafford in place as he excels in his contract year.
Practice Squad Updates: 10/26/16
Here are today’s practice squad moves.
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OT Martin Wallace
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Jacoby Glenn
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DB Darius Hillary, RB Terrence Magee, DL Gabe Wright
- Cut: RB Terrell Watson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: C Jacob Flores
New England Patriots
- Cut: G Chase Farris
New York Jets
- Signed: C Kyle Friend, LB Reshard Cliett
- Cut: WR Myles White
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: CB Trovon Reed
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: QB Joel Stave
Patriots Work Out LB Jasper Brinkley
The Patriots worked out a trio of linebackers today, auditioning Jasper Brinkley, Randell Johnson, and Trevor Bates, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Patriots Acquire Kyle Van Noy]
None of the linebackers agreed to a contract with New England, and that’s likely because the Patriots filled their linebacker vacancy by acquiring former second-rounder Kyle Van Noy from the Lions. The Pats are looking for help along the front seven given that Jamie Collins (hip) and Shea McClellin (concussion) are coming off injury, though both played on Sunday.
Brinkley, 31, re-signed with the Giants this offseason after having spent the 2015 season in New York. The veteran had another solid campaign last year, compiling 67 tackles and one sack. The linebacker has only missed a pair of games since the start of 2012.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/25/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Chris Hubert
- Cut: OT Martin Wallace
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Dobson Collins
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Gerald Christian, WR Mose Frazier, CB Joe Powell
- Cut: WR Corey Washington
Cleveland Browns
- Cut: OL Mike Liedtke
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OT Matt Rotheram
- Cut: RB Mike James
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Keith Baxter
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Doran Grant (Twitter link via Howard Balzer), DT Louis Nix
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DL Bobby Richardson
- Cut: LB Deion Barnes
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Sterling Bailey, OT Austin Shepherd, DB Cedric Thompson
- Cut: TE Kyle Carter, TE Brian Leonhardt, QB Joel Stave
New England Patriots
- Signed: S Shamiel Gary, DT Anthony Johnson (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Reshard Cliett (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OT Keavon Milton
- Cut: TE Rashaun Allen
Seattle Seahawks
- Cut: RB Zac Brooks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Donteea Dye
Washington Redskins
- Signed: WR Matt Hazel