New England Patriots Make Series of Roster Moves Before New Orleans Saints Game

The New England Patriots placed a prominent defender on injured reserve, while activating a veteran offensive lineman in advance of their Week 5 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots made a series of intriguing roster moves on Saturday — including one which was unfortunately inevitable — as they make final preparations for their Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. from Gillette Stadium. 

The Pats officially placed rookie Christian Gonzalez on injured reserve due to a torn shoulder labrum suffered during their Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. While the team has yet to confirm Gonzalez’s prognosis, the recovery from surgery is expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. 

Filling Gonzalez’s spot is offensive lineman Riley Reiff, who in a corresponding move, was activated to New England’s 53-man roster. Reiff began the season on injured reserve after suffering a leg injury during the start of the second quarter of New England’s preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans. Per the terms of his IR placement, he was eligible to return to practice on Wednesday, opening his 21-day window for activation. Reiff was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, leaving his status for Sunday’s game as a probable game-time decision. 

The veteran tackle and the Patriots agreed to a $5 million contract with $4.15 million guaranteed shortly after the start of the league year in March. At 6-6, 313 pounds, Reiff possess the necessary size to provide adequate protection in both the passing and the run games to a line which has struggled with both since the season’s start. Throughout training camp, and much of the preseason, he spent his time at both right and left tackle, as well as right guard in place of the injured Michael Onwenu. Should Reiff be active against the Saints, he is most likely to align at right tackle. 

New England Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez / Getty

New England also elevated defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. from their practice squad for Week 5. Pharms is a versatile interior lineman who logged 22 tackles and two sacks for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL in the spring of 2022. He was a notable contributor during training camp practices and played 22 snaps in the Pats preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug 26. He spent the entirety of last season on the Pats scout team, as well as the first three weeks of the 2023 regular season. This will mark his second game day promotion this year; his first coming in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.

With Pharms serving as the sole scout team promotion for Sunday, the Patriots appear optimistic that running back Rhamondre Stevenson (questionable with a thigh injury) is healthy enough to play against New Orleans. After all, the Pats had an additional elevation slot open; presumably for practice squad running back Kevin Harris if Stevenson were thought to be unavailable.   

Lastly, the Patriots have yet to officially place linebacker Matthew Judon on IR, despite his having already undergone surgery to repair his torn biceps tendon. Still, his IR designation is considered to be a formality; and will likely coincide with the activation of another Patriot currently on the reserve list. Defensive end Trey Flowers and saftey/special teamer Cody Davis returned to practice earlier this week, with each having 17 days remaining in their respective windows for activation. Receiver Tyquan Thornton and cornerback Jack Jones did not practice with the team, in spite of their eligibility to do so. 

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