The Patriots had defensive lineman Andre Carter in for a tryout on Monday, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. Carter played for the Patriots in 2011, piling up 10 sacks in 14 games before tearing his left quadriceps muscle in Week 15, ending his season.
Carter, 34, flirted with a return to the Patriots during last offseason, but ultimately the team decided not to bring him back. Instead, Carter signed with the Oakland Raiders before Week 4. He played in 12 games with the Raiders in 2012, recording 19 tackles and just 2.5 sacks on the season. He re-signed with the team this offseason but was among one of the team’s final roster cuts at the 53-man deadline.
The Patriots are thin along the defensive line, carrying just seven defensive linemen into Buffalo in Week 1. The lack of depth showed, too, as rookie defensive tackle Joe Vellano was forced to play more than his fair share of snaps and defensive end Chandler Jones was even forced to play inside at points.
After the first game, veteran contracts are no longer guaranteed, which means more veterans like Carter will be in for visits in the coming days and weeks.
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