You just never know what the Patriots are going to do next.
Just one day after playing a critical role in New England’s 42-14 win over the Texans, the team announced it had placed Donte Stallworth on injured reserve and released Visanthe Shiancoe. Stallworth suffered an ankle injury during his 20 snaps against Houston.
Shiancoe played 10 snaps with the team in their Week 14 win, but played fewer snaps than Daniel Fells and Michael Hoomanawanui since Rob Gronkowski went down with his forearm injury.
Stallworth was signed on Dec. 3 after Julian Edelman was placed on injured reserve. Stallworth made a 63-yard touchdown grab in his only reception of the season.
Shiancoe was signed on July 24 to a one-year deal. The Patriots used their injured reserve with a designation to return on Shiancoe. He returned in November. The team cannot reuse that injured reserve slot.
