UPDATE (2:31 p.m. ET, Oct. 1): The New England Patriots confirmed Thursday that they had acquired defensive lineman Akiem Hicks from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui. The Patriots also signed defensive lineman Khyri Thornton from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, and signed defensive back Brandon Dixon, offensive lineman Sean Hickey, wide receiver Austin Hill and linebacker Eric Martin to the practice squad.
UPDATE (6:18 p.m. ET): The New England Patriots received defensive lineman Akiem Hicks from the Saints in exchange for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, a source told NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Hicks started 33 games in four seasons for the Saints after they selected him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-5, 324-pound defensive end has 6.5 sacks and 69 tackles in 48 career games.
ORIGINAL STORY: The New England Patriots weren’t finished with bye-week transactions when they cut four players Wednesday.
The Patriots traded tight end Michael Hoomanawanui to the New Orleans Saints, a source told The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin. Hoomanawanui was inactive Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fellow tight end Michael Williams appeared to have passed Hoomanwanui on New England’s depth chart.
Hoomanawanui caught 20 passes for 289 yards with one touchdown in four seasons and 45 games with the Patriots.
The Patriots are left with Williams, Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler at tight end.
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images
