The New England Patriots added a veteran to their already crowded, but injury-depleted, wide receiver corps.
Former Colts wideout Reggie Wayne reportedly agreed to sign with the Patriots on Monday, and he could see his role fade as the 2015 season progresses.
One theory behind the Patriots adding Wayne is to allow the team to begin the 2015 season with starting wide receiver Brandon LaFell on the physically unable to perform list. LaFell recently had his walking boot removed, CSNNE’s Mike Giardi reported over the weekend. LaFell had surgery on his foot to repair an injury suffered late last season and has yet to take the practice field for the Patriots.
If LaFell isn’t ready to start the season, LaFell likely would serve as the Patriots’ No. 2/3 receiver, sharing the role with Danny Amendola behind Julian Edelman. The Patriots likely would fill out their wide receiver corps with special-teamer Matthew Slater and two of three reserves: Aaron Dobson, Brandon Gibson and/or Chris Harper.
Wayne adds versatility to the Patriots’ receiver corps, since he can play outside and in the slot. It’s unclear how he will be used when LaFell is healthy, though he’d likely share the No. 3/4 role with Amendola.
The Patriots currently have one open spot on their 90-man roster. Check out how their depth chart looks after the reported signing:
*Currently on PUP or NFI list
QUARTERBACK
Starter:Â Tom Brady
Reserves:Â Jimmy Garoppolo, Ryan Lindley
— Brady currently is set to begin the season with a four-game suspension.
RUNNING BACK
Starter: LeGarrette Blount
Reserves:Â Jonas Gray, Brandon Bolden, Tony Creecy
— Blount will miss the Patriots’ season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a one-game suspension.
THIRD-DOWN BACK
Starter: James White
Reserves: Brandon Bolden, Dion Lewis, Travaris Cadet
— It’s unclear who currently is the front-runner in this role, but based on preseason play, it looks like the Patriots want White to win out over Bolden. Cadet currently is injured.
FULLBACK
Starter: James Develin
— The Patriots cut backup fullback Eric Kettani on Monday. Michael Hoomanawanui could play fullback in a pinch.
WIDE RECEIVER
Starters: Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell*
Reserves: Danny Amendola, Reggie Wayne, Aaron Dobson, Brandon Gibson, Matthew Slater, Chris Harper, Brian Tyms, Jonathan Krause, Zach D’Orazio
— Gibson suffered a knee injury Saturday against the New Orleans Saints, and Tyms could be placed on injured reserve, a source indicated to NESN.com.
TIGHT END
Starter: Rob Gronkowski
Reserves: Scott Chandler, Michael Hoomanawanui, Jimmay Mundine, Jake Bequette, Asante Cleveland
— Chandler and Bequette currently are injured, allowing Mundine to move up the depth chart.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Starters: Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer
Reserves: Marcus Cannon, Cameron Fleming, Mark Asper, Chris Martin, Chris Barker
— The Patriots’ tackle depth gets a little scary after Fleming. Asper, Martin and Barker have been used at the position during preseason, however.
GUARD
Starters: Ryan Wendell*, Tre’ Jackson
Reserves: Shaq Mason, Josh Kline, Ryan Groy, Chris Barker, Caylin Hauptmann*, Mark Asper
— If Wendell isn’t ready to begin the season, then Kline could jump Mason on the depth chart.
CENTER
Starter: Bryan Stork
Reserves:Â Josh Kline, David Andrews
— Andrews has been starting during the preseason, but Kline looks more game-ready.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Starters: Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch
Reserves: Chris Jones*, Malcom Brown, Dominique Easley, Antonio Johnson, Zach Moore, Joe Vellano, Casey Walker, A.J. Pataliali’i
— Branch was a starter at the end of last season, but the Patriots are using Brown early during preseason games. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the rookie start if Jones begins the season on PUP.
DEFENSIVE END
Starters: Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich
Reserves: Jabaal Sheard, Dominique Easley, Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers, Zach Moore, Rufus Johnson, Eric Martin, Dekoda Watson
— Martin, Johnson and Watson are listed as linebackers on the Patriots’ roster, but they’ve been used as pass rushers.
LINEBACKER
Starters: Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, Jerod Mayo
Reserves: Dane Fletcher*, James Morris, Jonathan Freeny, Darius Fleming, Cameron Gordon, Xzavier Dickson, Brandon King
— Fletcher is likely to begin the season on PUP as he recovers from a reported torn ACL.
CORNERBACK
Starters: Malcolm Butler, Tarell Brown
Reserves:Â Logan Ryan, Robert McClain, Bradley Fletcher, Darryl Roberts, Daxton Swanson, Jimmy Jean
— Devin McCourty started at cornerback Saturday against the Saints. We’ll wait to see if that sticks before placing him atop the cornerback depth chart.
SAFETY
Starters: Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung
Reserves: Duron Harmon, Tavon Wilson, Jordan Richards, Nate Ebner
— Harmon started at free safety with McCourty manning right cornerback on Saturday.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Starters: K Stephen Gostkowski, P Ryan Allen, LS Joe Cardona
Thumbnail photo via Thomas J. Russo/USA TODAY Sports Images
