FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots, desperate to find some healthy bodies before Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets, will sign two players off their practice squad, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
The Patriots will sign running back Jonas Gray and guard Chris Barker, and according to league rules, both players can play against the Jets. The Patriots’ corresponding moves have not been indicated, but the team is expected to place running back Stevan Ridley and linebacker Jerod Mayo on season-ending injured reserve before Thursday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
Gray was added to the Patriots’ roster last winter as a futures signing after he spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins. He went undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2012 after suffering a torn ACL during his senior season.
Gray carried the ball 37 times for 142 yards during the 2014 preseason with the Patriots.
Barker went undrafted out of Nevada in 2013, and the Patriots claimed him off waivers from the Dolphins last September. Barker spent all of last season on the active roster and was cut on Sept. 1 before being added to the practice squad the following day.
Barker’s call-up could be bad news for the health of offensive linemen Bryan Stork and Dan Connolly, both of whom are questionable to play Thursday night because of concussions. The Patriots had just six healthy offensive lineman on their roster before adding Barker.
UPDATE (4:58 p.m.): The Patriots made the roster moves official and placed Mayo and Ridley on IR, ending their seasons.
