Roster Moves Ahead of Season Opener
The New England Patriots made several roster moves on Sept. 1, re-signing center Ben Brown and adding undrafted rookie linebacker Erick Hunter to the 53-man roster. The transactions come two days after the NFL's cutdown deadline, as the team prepares for next week's season opener.
Brown's return came less than a day after the Patriots released him, a move made to accommodate waiver claims. According to , the team had initially kept Brown on the roster following Sunday's cuts before releasing him Monday when it claimed tight end Cameron Latu and linebacker Darius Muasau off waivers. Brown was subsequently re-signed shortly afterward, making the sequence appear procedural.
Hunter joins the Patriots after being waived by the Detroit Lions following final cuts. The 6-foot-2, 224-pound linebacker spent training camp with the Lions, where he intercepted quarterback Jared Goff in a scrimmage and was highlighted by Detroit's official website. Hunter, who starred at Morgan State, earned FCS All-American honors as a senior, recording 102 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and four sacks. He was also named first-team All-MEAC. At the HBCU Showcase, he ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and posted a 10-foot-10 broad jump, according to Heavy.
Brown's Role and Injury Status
Brown, 28, has become a valuable depth piece for the Patriots since signing with the team in October 2024. He started 10 games at center that season and appeared in all 17 games in 2025, making four starts at left guard, as reported by both com and Heavy. His availability had been in question after he injured his leg in the preseason opener. Head coach Mike Vrabel said Brown would be sidelined for "a few weeks," according to , citing comments made via media.
Keeping Brown provides the Patriots with an experienced backup capable of playing both center and guard, adding stability to a revamped offensive line.
Practice Squad Additions and Team Captains
The Patriots also signed several players to the practice squad. According to com, the team added five players: linebacker J. Britt, defensive tackle Jalen Hunt, offensive lineman Jake Kubas, and linebacker Jose Ramirez. Heavy. reported four of these additions—J. Britt, Jose Ramirez, Jalen Hunt, and Jake Kubas—as part of Tuesday's transactions. Britt had been with the Patriots during training camp, while Hunt, Kubas, and Ramirez were newcomers, as noted by com.
In addition to the roster moves, the Patriots named six team captains on Wednesday, selected by a vote from their teammates: quarterback Drake Maye, cornerback Marcus Jones, offensive tackle Morgan Moses, linebacker Robert Spillane, tight end Hunter Henry, and safety Kevin Byard, as reported by com.