Patriots Sign Safety Ross Ventrone to Practice Squad

Could this have been a reaction move to the possible suspension facing Brandon Meriweather for his helmet-to-helmet hit against Todd Heap?

The Patriots signed rookie safety Ross Ventrone to their practice squad on Tuesday afternoon. Ventrone was originally signed by New England last April as a rookie free agent out of Villanova. He was then waived by the team on Sept. 4.

Ventrone was a three-year starter at Villanova, leading the secondary with 53 solo tackles in the 2009 season. He recorded 198 solo tackles overall, with three sacks in his collegiate career. His older brother, Ray, played with the Patriots from 2005-07, and now plays for the Cleveland Browns.