


The Patriots bolstered their tight end depth by signing veteran Pharaoh Brown to their practice squad, the team announced Wednesday.
Brown was one of 14 players signed to the Patriots’ practice squad Wednesday. The team also added quarterbacks Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham, running backs Kevin Harris and Ty Montgomery II, wide receiver Thyrick Pitts, tight end Matt Sokol, offensive linemen James Ferentz, Kody Russey and Andrew Stueber, linebackers Joe Giles-Harris, Calvin Munson and Ronnie Perkins, safety Joshuah Bledsoe and punter Corliss Waitman.
They still have one open spot on their practice squad. Brown is the only player signed to the Patriots’ initial practice squad who was not with the team during training camp and the preseason.
Brown, 29, has previously spent time with the Raiders, Browns, Texans and Colts. The 6-foot-5, 246-pound tight end briefly crossed over with Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien with the Texans in 2020 before O’Brien was fired as Houston’s head coach.
Brown was released by the Colts on Tuesday. He has 51 career receptions for 478 yards with two touchdowns in 55 games.
The Patriots kept just two tight ends — Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki — on their initial 53-man roster. Tight ends Anthony Firkser, Scotty Washington and Johnny Lumpkin — all of whom were cut this week — are not part of the Patriots’ initial practice squad.
The Patriots surprisingly kept just two running backs on their initial 53-man roster. Montgomery and Harris will provide additional depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. The team has not brought back J.J. Taylor, who spent the last three seasons with the Patriots split between their roster and practice squad.
Ferentz, Russey and Stueber join the 11 offensive linemen who made the Patriots’ additional 53-man roster.