The New England Patriots made a series of roster moves on Tuesday, with three players joining the roster and one landing on injured reserve. The transactions involved two receivers and two linebackers and were made a day before the Patriots began their ramp-up for Sunday’s preseason finale against the Washington Commanders.
Patriots Roster Moves on Tuesday, Aug. 20
JaQuae Jackson Placed on Injured Reserve
The Patriots placed JaQuae Jackson on injured reserve after he suffered an apparent leg injury during last Thursday’s preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Jerod Mayo on Friday said that Jackson’s X-rays were negative but he still needed an MRI. The details of Jackson’s injury remained unknown as of this writing.
Since he was placed on injured reserve before roster cutdown day, Jackson must sit out the entire 2024 season unless the two sides agree to an injury settlement.
Sad to see JaQuae Jackson being carted off with an injury…
… but can we talk about that towel toss by Deatrich Wise? Perfect pic.twitter.com/ZggH0IwPpU
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL)
An undrafted rookie out of Rutgers, Jackson initially signed with the Atlanta Falcons after the 2024 NFL Draft but eventually joined the Patriots. He produced some impressive moments during training camp, including catching a touchdown from Joe Milton III during New England’s preseason win over the Carolina Panthers.
Jackson was a roster longshot but would’ve been a candidate to join the practice squad.
WR Matt Landers Claimed off Waivers
The 6’4″, 200-pound Matt Landers has bounced around since turning pro in 2023.
The Arkansas product first joined the Seattle Seahawks as a rookie free agent and spent the entire season as a practice squadder for Seattle and the Panthers. He played in the UFL earlier this year before joining the Cleveland Browns, who released him on Monday.
Landers hasn’t played in an NFL game and should be viewed as a roster longshot.
LBs Kobe Jones and Christian McCarroll Signed After Workouts
The Patriots worked out Kobe Jones and Christian McCarroll on Tuesday and signed both linebackers later in the day.
Jones, 26, first joined the Falcons as a rookie free agent in 2021. Since then, he also has spent time with the Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, and the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
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Jones’ only NFL action came in 2022 when he appeared in one game for the Panthers and one game for the Packers.
The 25-year-old McCarroll is an undrafted rookie who posted 67 tackles and eight sacks last season for Grand Valley State. He was a consensus Division II All-American and the winner of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Award.
Jones and McCarroll also should be viewed as roster longshots.