Last week, the Patriots executed dozens of transactions around the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline.

They saved one of their most surprising for last.

The Pats claimed ex-Panthers quarterback Matt Corral off waivers Thursday, making him only the second quarterback on the roster after Mac Jones. Corral lost Carolina’s backup quarterback competition to Andy Dalton this summer under a new coaching staff.  As a rookie last year, Corral entered the league as a third-round pick with an outside chance to win the Panthers’ starting job.

However, a preseason Lisfranc injury cut his season short before he could take a snap. On Monday, Pats coach Bill Belichick praised Corral’s preseason performance this year. Corral completed 59.6% of his passes for 249 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

In 2021, he finished his college career at Ole Miss by completing 67.9% of his passes for 3,349 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.

“We’ll take a look at him and see how it goes,” Belichick said during a Monday interview on WEEI. “(Corral) had a very good career at Mississippi, and hasn’t really had a lot of chances to do much in the last two years; was injured and missed some time. But (he) had a good preseason, so we’ll see how it goes. Look forward to working with him.”

In New England, Corral has filled the vacant roster spot that was created when second-year wide receiver Tyquan Thornton went on injured reserve. It’s unknown whether the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder will serve as Jones’ primary backup for the Patriots’ season opener Sunday versus the Eagles.

“(Corral) hasn’t even been on the field yet,” Belichick said, “so we’ll see.”