SATURDAY, 10:00am: The Patriots have officially announced the pair of moves.
WEDNESDAY, 4:35pm: The Patriots made a pair of moves today to help improve their depleted receiver and offensive line depth. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that the team has claimed wide receiver Leonard Hankerson and offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle off waivers. To make room on the roster, the team placed running back LeGarrette Blount on the IR and released wideout Damaris Johnson (via Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com).
Hankerson, a five-year veteran, was released from the Falcons injured reserve list yesterday. The 26-year-old had compiled 26 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns this season before getting shutdown with a hamstring injury. As PFR’s Luke Adams pointed out, the release from the IR was a likely indication that Hankerson should be healthy going forward. The former third-rounder is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Waddle, a former undrafted free agent, was cut by the Lions yesterday after playing two-plus seasons with the team. The 24-year-old started 24 of his 30 career games, but as our own Zach Links noted, he’s battled injuries over the past two seasons, including a torn ACL in 2014. Waddle will be a free agent following this season.
Johnson made his lone 2015 appearance in Week 13 against the Eagles, when he hauled in one catch for six yards.
I like how the lions can’t find a need for waddle as they have a God awful oline but somehow the patriots can! Lions management need to give their heads a shake