Patriots Reunite With Wide Receiver Before Matchup With Texans

The Patriots clearly see something in John Jiles.

Jiles, a wide receiver who went undrafted this year, first joined New England’s practice squad Sept. 24 but was released one week later. The separation proved not to be permanent, however, as Jiles re-signed to the Patriots practice squad Wednesday.

Lockers were available at One Patriot Place after New England released a total of three players Tuesday, including a pair who were on the practice squad. Jiles now is the lone wide receiver on the Patriots practice squad, serving as an understudy to a seven-man group on New England’s 53-man roster.

The 24-year-old is used to bouncing around, as he spent time with three colleges before entering the 2024 NFL Draft. The North Carolina native spent the bulk of his first professional preseason and training camp with the New York Giants, who signed Jiles after the draft but released him Aug. 25.

Perhaps there will be an opportunity for Jiles to join New England’s active roster in the coming weeks. The Patriots reportedly are open to moving fellow wideout Tyquan Thornton and there’s a case to be made that New England should trade Kendrick Bourne before the deadline passes.

The 1-4 Patriots will host the 4-1 Houston Texans on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.