Patriots claim Braxston Cave, sign Marcus Forston to p-squad
The New England Patriots now reportedly have three players on the practice squad, and they have also reportedly claimed two players off of waivers. NEPD’s Mike Loyko reports a confirmation of his earlier report that the Patriots have claimed center Braxton Cave off of waivers, thus giving the Patriots two centers on the 53-man roster in high-level starter Ryan Wendell and the Notre Dame UDFA. Cave was waived by the Cleveland Browns, and he looks more like practice squad material right now than somebody deserving of a spot on the roster as a second center.
Cave is an interesting player, and the 24-year-old started a lot of games while in college at Notre Dame. As it stands right now, the Patriots have 53 players on the roster after reportedly claiming defensive tackle A.J. Francis from the Miami Dolphins and now Cave off of the Browns.
Marcus Forston was a pretty surprising release yesterday, and his cut left the Patriots thin at defensive tackle with Joe Vellano as the lone, healthy backup (Armond Armstead is on the NFI). Forston, according to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe, has been signed to the New England Patriots practice squad, and it’s great to hear that Forston went unclaimed through waivers. He seems to hold the most value here with the Patriots, and it’s great to have him back. Forston still needs to be a lot more consistent against the run, but he has plenty of natural talent and can push the pocket; he’s great value on the practice squad.
The signing of Cave gives the Patriots nine offensive linemen, and Loyko wonders if the signing of the former ND G/C means that Josh Kline is on the way out. Kline made the Patriots 53-man roster following yesterday’s cuts over fellow UDFA Chris McDonald, but his roster spot was never truly safe. Nine OLs seems a bit rich for a team with enough versatility on the OL to keep two.