It was a busy Tuesday for the New England Patriots with media obligations and multiple roster moves a day before training camp officially opens.
Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots placed running back Antonio Gibson on the active/non-football injury list.
They also placed wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, center Jake Andrews, guard Cole Strange and linebacker Sione Takitaki on the active/physically unable to perform list.
Takitaki is recovering from a knee scope procedure, according to Reiss.
The situation with Gibson is the one to keep an eye on considering the Patriots were already coming into camp thin at the running back position.
RB Antonio Gibson has been placed on the active/non-football injury list, while WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki, C/G Jake Andrews and LG Cole Strange have been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list.
This means they are not yet cleared to practice.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 23, 2024
They have Rhamondre Stevenson as their No. 1 option, but without Gibson, they are down to Kevin Harris as their top backup.
Will the Patriots keep things as is, or could they go out and sign a veteran player, like Leonard Fournette or Kareem Hunt, on the free agent market?
Given Stevenson’s injury history, it might be a move the Patriots’ front office should consider making.