Patriots Daily: Conor McDermott Returns; Four Audition in Foxboro

The New England Patriots have brought in another option to try and fix their continued issues at right tackle and it is a familiar face. Meanwhile, the Patriots brought in four free agents for a tryout yesterday in Foxboro. Plus Tom Brady, Julio Jones and Antonio Brown in today’s edition of Patriots Daily…

Conor McDermott Signed to Practice Squad

Yesterday the Patriots signed offensive tackle Conor McDermott to their practice squad. McDermott is a veteran of six NFL seasons with the Bills, Jets and Patriots. Last season he started the final six games of the year at right tackle for New England, and held up pretty well. This is especially true in contrast to what the Patriots have put out at right tackle this season.

Calvin Anderson started the first two games at right tackle for the Patriots but struggled. Vederian Lowe has started the last four, but has also had difficulty. Although there were originally quite a few options at right tackle for the Patriots, that number is dwindling. Anderson and Lowe have both gotten the chance and played poorly. Riley Reiff and Mike Onwenu have both had problems staying healthy. Sidy Sow has been used primarily at guard, due to injuries along the line. Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. has yet to play an offensive snap.

So perhaps McDermott will be the answer the Patriots are looking for. The opportunity is certainly there for the taking. If he can return to his 2022 form, it would be a significant upgrade over what has been rolled out over there in 2023.

Conor McDermott was originally placed on season-ending Injured Reserve before the start of the season with an undisclosed injury. On Sept. 8 he reached an injury settlement with the Patriots, which removed him from IR and placed him on waivers. As a result of going through that process, he was able to return to an NFL team this season as long as he was able to pass a physical.

Five Free Agents in for Tryout

As first reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the New England Patriots hosted four free agents for a tryout yesterday in Foxboro. The four players were:

• DE William Bradley-King (Baylor/Commanders)
• DB Jimmy Moreland (James Madison/Commanders)
• DB Darius Phillips (Western Michigan/Bengals)
• RB Patrick Taylor (Memphis/Packers)

No news on any signing with the team as of now.

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New England Patriots

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New York Post – Mac Jones remains confident he can lead New England

CBS Sports– Bill Belichick up to #2 on NFL head coach “hot seat” rankings

AFC East News

Buffalo Rumblings – Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs breaks a franchise record

Yahoo! Sports – Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa speaking about the conflict in Israel

ESPN – New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is “ahead of schedule”

NFL News

USA Today – Seven-time Pro Bowl WR Julio Jones signs with the Philadelphia Eagles

CNN –Popularity of flag football, which will be in the 2028 Olympics, perhaps with NFL players

The Sporting News – Cowboys LB Micah Parsons: “I’m tired of people trashing my quarterback”

Boston Bruins

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Fun Fact of the Day

Since newly signed Philadelphia Eagles WR Julio Jones entered the NFL in 2011, he ranks second in receptions (903) and first in receiving yards (13,629). He needs only 9 more receptions to catch former Steelers, Raiders, Patriots and Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown.

Tweet of the Day

Today’s PFN Tweet of the Day comes from Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) who reminds New England Patriots fans that not all has gone poorly this season. There was the time Tom Brady returned…

Say what you want about this season, but at least we got to see Tom Brady back in a Patriots uniform in Gillette Stadium. pic.twitter.com/p3ThqYoCHJ

— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) October 18, 2023