Tag: William Hooper

Patriots place DT on injured reserve, release DB from practice squad

The Patriots announced two roster moves on Tuesday.

Sunday’s victory over the New York Jets wasn’t all good news for the New England Patriots.

They announced they were putting veteran defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale on injured reserve on Tuesday. Cornerback William Hooper was also released from the practice squad.

Ekuale is feared to have suffered a torn biceps following an injury from the Patriots’ Week 3 meeting with the Jets. It’s a tough loss for the Patriots considering how reliable Ekuale was for the team on the defensive front. He was a constant disruptive presence and a legitimate threat as a pass-rusher.

Meanwhile, Hooper was signed by the Patriots after rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden went down with an injury. That time was obviously short-lived with his release on Tuesday.

Ekuale’s exit opens up a free spot on the main roster. So another move should be expected, whether it’s a new free agent signing or practice squad elevation, for New England at some point.

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Patriots sign former Packers CB William Hooper to practice squad

The Patriots are adding to their defensive backfield.

The New England Patriots are adding to their defensive backfield with the announced signing of former Green Bay Packers cornerback William Hooper to the practice squad.

Depth is clearly needed with Jack Jones going on injured reserve last week. Things have been thin in the defensive backfield with the Patriots now having to turn to players like Myles Bryant, Shaun Wade and Ameer Speed as the last line of defense behind Jonathan Jones, Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones.

With rookie Isaiah Bolden also on injured reserve, it made sense for the Patriots to go out and get another young cornerback to develop on the practice squad.

Hooper joined the Packers as an undrafted rookie before he was ultimately waived by the team. We’ll see if he can stick around on a Patriots team that’s top-heavy at the cornerback position.

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Packers sign rookie UDFA cornerback William Hooper

The Packers are signing rookie cornerback William Hooper, an undrafted free agent out of Northwestern State who was in Green Bay for rookie minicamp tryout.

The Green Bay Packers filled one of their open 90-man roster spots by signing cornerback William Hooper, an undrafted rookie free agent from Northwestern State, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.

Hooper was in Green Bay for the team’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis this past weekend.

Hooper (6-0, 185) was a second-team All-Southland Conference defensive back in 2022 after breaking up 13 passes, including at least one in eight of the 11 games he played. He finished his collegiate career with three interceptions, 19 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a blocked extra point.

According to the team, Hooper’s 1.2 pass breakups per game ranked 25th in the FCS last season.

“They (the Packers) like how I play off coverage, how I tackle and what I can bring on special teams,” Hooper told Northwestern State’s official site.

Per Pro Football Focus, Hooper missed just five tackles and gave up completions on 45 percent of targets during his collegiate career.

Hooper, a Alabama native, was also scheduled to participate during the Bills rookie minicamp later this week, but signing with the Packers means he’ll be staying in Green Bay.

Hooper will join a crowded depth chart at cornerback, where the Packers return Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Corey Ballentine, Kiondre Thomas and Benjie Franklin and are adding seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine. Hooper will give the Packers 11 cornerbacks on the 90-man roster.