The New England Patriots headed toward State Farm Stadium with a fourth option at tight end.
The organization elevated rookie Jack Westover from the practice squad on the eve of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Westover, 25, previously served as a standard call-up in November versus the Miami Dolphins. His NFL debut included one snap on offense for an active depth chart featuring Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper as well as fellow rookie Jaheim Bell. He also saw 13 snaps on special teams prior to reverting.
Signing to the practice squad in Foxborough as the calendar turned to October, Westover entered the league with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in the spring. An injury settlement followed during training camp after he reverted to injured reserve.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Westover appeared 52 games at the University of Washington dating back to 2018. An All-Pac-12 honorable mention last fall, his Huskies career spanned 87 receptions for 849 yards and six touchdowns. An additional visit to the end zone arrived as a rusher.
“Yeah, those are definitely options,” Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Friday when asked whether the team would consider elevating a wide receiver from the practice squad. “What I would also say is one of our most dependable rooms has been the tight end room, and we have tight ends that can split out. We have tight ends that can line up, end-line tight ends, so definitely a possibility. Whether it’s ‘11’ or ‘12’ personnel, it won’t change so much.”
The Patriots ruled out wideout Javon Baker and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace while listing five as questionable on the week’s final injury report. Defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy has since been placed on injured reserve, closing his season and opening a spot on the 53-man roster.
Sunday’s kickoff in Glendale is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.