Patriots activate Greg Van Roten and Reggie Gilliam from injured reserve

详细摘要

MUNICH — The Patriots will get two veterans back from injured reserve for Sunday’s game against the Lions in center/guard Greg Van Roten and fullback Reggie Gilliam.

MUNICH — The Patriots will get two veterans back from injured reserve for Sunday’s game against the Lions in center/guard Greg Van Roten and fullback Reggie Gilliam.

On Saturday, New England activated Van Roten from injured reserve. Van Roten, who had been sidelined with a hamstring issue for the last six games, brings an added layer of depth to the interior of the offensive line. The 36-year-old veteran, who had started every game in each of the previous three seasons for the Giants and Raiders, will now likely start at left guard on Sunday in place of Ben Brown.

The 29-year-old Gilliam is in line for a return to game action for the first time in over a month. After struggling with knee issues over the course of the summer, he was shut down for five games. His return figures to give offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels some added flexibility in the run game as a lead blocker, as well as a boost in pass protection.

The Patriots elevated guard Andrew Rupcich from the practice squad. Rupcich not only provides another option along the interior, but the decision to make him available to the game-day roster signals that Walter Rouse, who landed in concussion protocol after the Packers’ game, is still at least another week away from returning to full strength, and will likely be one of Sunday’s inactives.

To make room, running back TreVeyon Henderson (illness) was placed on injured reserve. He will miss at least four games.

That the Patriots didn’t activate practice squad running back Terrell Jennings could pave the way for Rhamondre Stevenson to play.

Stevenson, who suffered a knee injury in last week’s loss to the Packers, traveled with the team but was limited all week and listed as questionable on Friday. During the brief window the media was allowed to watch practice on Thursday and Friday, the running back was on the field, but not in pads and working by himself off to the side.

Players and coaches praised Stevenson this week as someone who is “looking for a way in”…

“We’re…

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