FOXBORO — The Patriots signed two free agents to bolster their training camp depth Friday.
Both new safety A.J. Thomas and offensive tackle Kellen Diesch participated in practice Friday. They replaced running back DeShaun Fenwick and offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr., both of whom were waived by the Patriots on Friday.
Thomas, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan in 2022 with the Bears, played with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions this season. He was named to the All-UFL team after leading the league with three interceptions.
Patriots safeties Marte Mapu and Joshuah Bledsoe are banged up, while Jabrill Peppers just returned to practice, necessitating adding another body at the position. Cornerback Marcus Jones, who moonlights as a safety at times, also didn’t practice Friday.
Wheatley missed practice Thursday before being waived Friday. The Patriots had another injury scare at tackle on Friday in practice when Calvin Anderson went down during an 11-on-11 drill. He later returned to full-team drills.
Diesch has spent time with the Dolphins, Bears, Steelers and Browns since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State in 2022.
Releasing Fenwick, an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State, leaves the Patriots with Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty and Terrell Jennings at running back.
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