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Patriots roster moves could signal the addition of major reinforcements
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- Patriots roster moves could signal the addition of major reinforcements
FOXBOROUGH – On the surface, the Patriots ’ roster transactions on Monday may have appeared minor. When you look closer, however, it looks like Mike Vrabel’s team has taken a step closer to adding some major reinforcements to their roster.
On Monday, the Patriots released veteran center Brendan Jaimes and young cornerback Mike Battle. The timing of the moves is not a coincidence.
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The Patriots are likely clearing two spots on their roster to bring defensive tackle Milton Williams and left tackle Will Campbell off the injured reserve. The team also has the option of bringing cornerback Alex Austin off the injured reserve as well.
When Williams and Campbell return, it’ll create a significant boost for the team’s offense and defense.
Williams landed on the injured reserve in Week 12 due to an ankle injury. He was eligible to return last week, and although he practiced in a limited fashion, the Patriots didn’t take their highest-paid player off the injured reserve.
Williams told MassLive last week that he felt “close” to being ready.
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“I’m definitely close,” Williams said . “I’m not all the way there yet, but it’s getting real close… They ended up making the final decision based on how things went at practice. We’re going to try again next week and see how much it progresses then. So, we’ll see.”
On Monday, Mike Vrabel said that he expected Campbell to return to practice on Wednesday. The Patriots’ rookie left tackle landed on the injured reserve due to a knee injury in Week 13. He’s eligible to come off the injured reserve this week.
Campbell has been traveling with the Patriots the last two weeks and was seen with teammates in Baltimore and New York.
“Will cares deeply about this team and the players on it,” Vrabel said on Monday. “That was his decision. I usually would rather these guys stay, get some rest, recover, and get treatment. Once he started feeling good enough to travel, he asked to go. It can only help him to be around his teammates and be in the game.”
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Jaimes, 26, was signed off the Patriots’ practice squad last week. He appeared in three games for the Patriots this season, playing eight offensive snaps and 21 snaps on special teams.
Battle signed with the Patriots’ active roster, off the practice squad, in November. He played in five games, making three tackles.
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