The New England Patriots decided two Gronks are better than one.
The Patriots signed fullback Glenn Gronkowski to their practice squad Saturday, according to the NFL transaction wire. He is Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski’s youngest brother.
Glenn Gronkowski signed with the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots’ Week 4 opponents, after he wasn’t selected in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Kansas State. He was released by the Bills on Sept. 12.
The Patriots previously had two Gronkowskis for five games in 2011, when Dan and Rob were on the 53-man roster.
The Patriots also signed tight end Greg Scruggs to their 53-man roster and released defensive tackle John Hughes to make roster room for him. They also released wide receiver Da’Ron Brown from their practice squad to make room for the younger Gronkowski.
Gronkowski didn’t record any stats in his lone regular-season game for the Bills. He had seven rushing attempts for 30 yards in four preseason games, and also one catch for no gain.
The 6-foot-3, 234-pound rookie ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and also posted a 7.10-second three-cone, 4.45-second short shuttle, 10-feet broad jump and 33-inch vertical leap. He bench-pressed 17 reps of 225 pounds.
Scruggs was selected by the Seattle Seahawks as a defensive end in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Louisville. He most recently was with the Chicago Bears, who converted him to tight end this offseason. The Patriots saw Scruggs during joint practices with the Bears this summer. He was cut by the Bears on Sept. 27.
Scruggs has nine tackles and three sacks in 18 career games. He didn’t catch a pass in three games with the Bears this season. Scruggs, who’s 6-foot-3, 277-pounds, ran a 4.76-second 40-yard dash at his pro day in 2012 and also posted a 7.16-second three-cone, 4.40-second short shuttle, 9-foot and 10-inch broad jump, and 34.5-inch vertical jump. He bench-pressed 25 reps of 225 pounds.
The Patriots have Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, Clay Harbor and AJ Derby at tight end. They have Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long and Trey Flowers at defensive end. Defensive end Rob Ninkovich is coming off a four-game suspension Monday, and linebacker Shea McClellin also can play defensive end.
The Patriots signed Hughes on Sept. 26, when they released defensive tackle Anthony Johnson. Brown was signed to the practice squad Sept. 27.
Thumbnail photo via Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports Images
