Patriots Promote Khyri Thornton, Sign Four Players To Practice Squad

The New England Patriots filled their 53-man roster and their practice squad Thursday before leaving on their bye week.

The Patriots signed defensive tackle Khyri Thornton to their active roster from their practice squad. They also signed defensive back Brandon Dixon, offensive lineman Sean Hickey, wide receiver Austin Hill and linebacker Eric Martin to their practice squad. The Patriots worked out Dixon, Hickey and Hill on Wednesday.

Martin began the 2015 season on the Patriots’ 53-man roster before being cut after Week 1. He originally latched on with the team in December, when he was signed to the practice squad before the Patriots’ playoff run.

Dixon was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Northwest Missouri State. He played most of the 2014 season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although he also has spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts. He recorded nine tackles and one interception in 14 games with the Bucs last year.

Hill went undrafted out of Arizona this year. He originally signed with the Oakland Raiders and spent training camp with the Jets. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound receiver caught 151 passes for 2,310 yards with 17 touchdowns in three seasons at Arizona.

Hickey went undrafted out of Syracuse this year. He spent training camp with the New Orleans Saints.

Thornton was claimed off waivers from the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 6. He was cut when the Patriots traded for wide receiver Keshawn Martin.

Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images