There were plenty of familiar faces back at practice after initially being cut by the New England Patriots on Tuesday.
Like the rest of the league, the Patriots went through the tough process of trimming their rosters down to 53 players. On Wednesday, many of the players on the cut list went on waivers with the chance of being claimed by another team.
The Patriots were fortunate that tight end Devin Asiasi was their only former player that got claimed on waivers. So that paved the way for a slew of fan favorites to return, including Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Tre Nixon, J.J. Taylor and LaBryan Ray.
Even veteran cornerback Terrance Mitchell was spotted at practice.
Others present: CB Terrance Mitchell, RB J.J. Taylor, RB Kevin Harris, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR Tre Nixon, TE Matt Sokol, TE Jalen Wydermyer, OL James Ferentz OL Kody Russey, OL Bill Murray, DL LaBryan Ray, DL Jeremiah Pharms, LB Cameron McGrone LB Harvey Langi, S Brad Hawkins
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 31, 2022
There was also a reported “mystery lineman” wearing a No. 68 jersey. Could it be Drew Desjarlais?
*Unless Desjarlais is the mystery O-lineman wearing No. 68. He was 61 this summer.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) August 31, 2022
The Patriots will lean on some of their practice squad talent to fill roles at certain points throughout the season for a team that currently has more questions than answers.
At the very least, there are several players within the group that showed they were up for the challenge during the preseason slate.