Mike Reiss, ESPN Team of workers Essayist
LAS VEGAS — In hopes of sparking their suffering offense, the New England Patriots signed dynamic receiver/quarterback Malik Cunningham to their 53-man roster on Saturday.
Cunningham, who completed his occupation at Louisville ranked fourth in class historical past with 9,664 passing yards and 3rd with 3,184 speeding yards, had spent the primary 5 weeks of the season at the crew’s apply squad.
He’s anticipated to be lively because the Patriots (1-4) seek advice from the Raiders (2-3) on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS).
The Patriots rank latter within the NFL in issues in step with sport and the 6-foot-1, 198-pound Cunningham might be used in a run-based bundle to counterpoint origination quarterback Mac Jones. He has additionally labored widely at receiver, the place the Patriots are shorthanded with JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Demario “Pop” Douglas dominated out for the sport because of concussions.
Patriots trainer Invoice Belichick had foreshadowed his plans with Cunningham, who additionally performs on particular groups gadgets, by way of announcing Friday that he was once “definitely trending” in opposition to a chance on gameday.
The crew may have increased Cunningham from the apply squad and next had him revert there then the sport, however in lieu, signed him to a three-year trade in on their 53-man roster.
“Malik has really worked hard and made a lot of improvement,” Belichick stated. “Anybody that keeps improving, eventually you’ll probably get an opportunity to play.”
Previous within the moment, offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien known as Cunningham “probably one of the most improved practice-squad players we have.”
Cunningham was once probably the most Patriots’ most fun gamers within the preseason opener, when he i’m in a hurry for 34 yards on 5 carries, which incorporated a 9-yard landing. He was once additionally 3-of-4 passing for 19 yards in that sport, enjoying essentially towards spare Texans gamers overdue within the sport.
The Patriots waived Cunningham on the ultimate roster cutdown, ahead of bringing him again the after time at the apply squad.
As a part of their roster shuffling Saturday, the Patriots additionally positioned out of doors linebacker Matthew Judon and offensive take on Tyrone Wheatley Jr. on injured retain, activated large receiver Tyquan Thornton to the 53-man roster from injured retain, and increased receiver Jalen Reagor and defensive take on Jeremiah Pharms Jr. from the apply squad for Sunday’s sport.
