Patriots Make Two Intriguing Elevations For Matchup Vs. Bears
The New England Patriots didn’t elevate anyone from their practice squad last week before facing the Tennessee Titans. They weren’t going to go that route two weeks in a row.
The Patriots on Saturday announced a pair of promotions for their Week 10 road game against the Chicago Bears as they called up linebacker Joe Giles-Harris and tight end Mitchell Wilcox. It’s the second elevation to the active roster for both players this season.
Giles-Harris being elevated was expected with the Patriots thin at linebacker. Yannick Ngakoue, who joined New England off waivers Friday after being cut by the Baltimore Ravens, was ruled out against the Bears with it being too quick of a turnaround while Raekwon McMillian was cut in a corresponding roster move.
That left just Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki, Curtis Jacobs and Ochaun Mathis available at the linebacker spot. Christian Elliss was already ruled out as well.
Moving Wilcox onto the active roster was an intriguing move by the Patriots since their three tight ends in Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and Jaheim Bell are all healthy. Wilcox could replace Bell, who made his first catch of the season last week in the loss to the Titans.
Giles-Harris made two tackles in the only game he suited up in this season, which came in Week 3 against the New York Jets. The fifth-year veteran played 12% of the defensive snaps and 67% of the special teams snaps in that contest.
Wilcox didn’t play a single offensive snap when he was elevated for New England’s Week 4 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. He did play 17 snaps on special teams.
The Patriots and Bears will kick off from Solider Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.