Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Week 13 for the New England Patriots

With the New England Patriots clinging to a playoff spot in the AFC and set to face a high-powered Kansas City Chiefs offense in Week 13, the team announced a series of targeted roster moves on Tuesday to shore up critical positional depth and address recent injuries. These adjustments—including an activation from injured reserve, a practice squad elevation, and a free-agent signing—reflect the Patriots’ signature focus on roster flexibility and preparedness, hallmarks of their organizational approach under head coach Bill Belichick. Each move is designed to counter the Chiefs’ strengths, particularly their explosive passing game led by Patrick Mahomes, while reinforcing areas of the Patriots’ lineup that have shown vulnerability in recent weeks. Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Week 13 for the New England Patriots breaks down each transaction, the reasoning behind them, the players involved, and how they strengthen the Patriots’ chances of securing a key divisional and playoff-relevant win.

Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Week 13 for the New England Patriots first features the activation of cornerback Jonathan Jones from injured reserve. Jones, who had been sidelined since Week 6 with a high ankle sprain, is a veteran presence in the Patriots’ secondary and a critical piece of their pass defense. In his six seasons with New England, Jones has established himself as a versatile cover man, capable of playing both outside corner and nickelback—skills that will be essential against the Chiefs’ trio of wide receivers: Tyreek Hill, Kadarius Toney, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Before his injury, Jones had recorded 21 tackles, 3 pass deflections, and 1 interception in five games, and his return fills a gap left by the Patriots’ recent struggles in coverage (New England has allowed 250+ passing yards in three of their last four games). “Jonathan is a smart, physical player who understands our system inside and out,” Belichick said in a press conference. “He’s been a consistent performer for us, and his ability to cover multiple positions will be important against a team like Kansas City that moves their receivers around a lot. Having him back is a big boost for our defense.”

To complement Jones’ activation, Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Week 13 for the New England Patriots includes the elevation of offensive lineman James Ferentz from the practice squad to the active roster. Ferentz, a 10-year NFL veteran and the father of Patriots’ starting center David Ferentz, provides much-needed depth at guard and center amid injuries to the Patriots’ offensive line. Starting right guard Mike Onwenu missed Week 12 with a hip injury, and backup guard Cole Strange is dealing with a knee issue, leaving the Patriots thin in the interior. Ferentz, who has played 87 career games (including 12 starts) with the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, is known for his reliability and football IQ—traits that Belichick values highly in backup linemen. “James brings experience and consistency to our offensive line room,” said Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm. “He’s played in big games, he knows how to adjust to different schemes, and he can step in at multiple positions if needed. That flexibility is crucial this time of year, especially when we’re dealing with injuries. We’re confident he’ll be ready to contribute if called upon.”

Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Week 13 for the New England Patriots also includes the signing of free-agent running back Damien Harris to the practice squad. Harris, a former Patriots draft pick (third round, 2019), returns to New England after spending the 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns. In his four seasons with the Patriots (2019–2022), Harris rushed for 2,262 yards and 20 touchdowns, including a career-high 929 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021. His addition comes as the Patriots look to bolster their running game, which has struggled to find consistency behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson (who has rushed for just 38 yards in his last two games). Harris’ familiarity with the Patriots’ offense—including their zone-running scheme and pass-protection assignments—means he can contribute quickly if needed, either on special teams or as a backup to Stevenson. For the New England Patriots, Harris’ signing is a low-risk, high-reward move that leverages a player’s existing knowledge of the team’s system to address an immediate need. “Damien knows our offense, he knows our culture, and he’s a hard worker,” Belichick said. “He’s been productive here in the past, and we’re glad to have him back. Adding him to the practice squad gives us another option in the backfield, which is important as we head into a tough stretch of games.”

Another layer of Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Week 13 for the New England Patriots is the strategic focus on experience and familiarity—two pillars of Belichick’s roster-building philosophy. Jones, Ferentz, and Harris all bring either prior experience with the Patriots or a track record of success in systems similar to New England’s, which minimizes the learning curve and allows them to contribute quickly. This is particularly important against the Chiefs, who present a complex offensive scheme that requires players to make split-second decisions. For the New England Patriots, avoiding the “rookie mistakes” that can come with inserting unfamiliar players into key roles is essential against a team as explosive as Kansas City. “We try to bring in players who either know our system or can adapt quickly,” Belichick explained. “When you’re playing a team like the Chiefs, you don’t have time for a lot of teaching—you need guys who can step in and execute right away. That’s what Jonathan, James, and Damien bring to the table. They understand what we’re asking of them, and they can focus on playing instead of learning.” This approach has served the Patriots well in past playoff runs, and it’s a key reason they remain competitive year in and year out, even amid roster turnover.

The final dimension of Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Week 13 for the New England Patriots is the impact these moves have on team morale and confidence, especially as the Patriots fight to stay in the playoff hunt. Jones’ return is a boost for a secondary that has been searching for consistency, while Ferentz’s elevation provides security for an offensive line that has kept quarterback Mac Jones upright for most of the season (New England ranks 8th in the NFL in sacks allowed). Harris’ return, meanwhile, is a nostalgic and emotional lift for a locker room that includes many players who played with him earlier in his career. For the New England Patriots, these moves send a clear message: the organization is committed to winning now, and it’s willing to leverage every available resource—including familiar faces and proven veterans—to achieve that goal. “These moves show that we’re serious about competing,” said Mac Jones. “Having Jonathan back in the secondary makes us better, James gives us peace of mind on the line, and Damien is a guy we all know and trust. It’s good to see the team making these kinds of adjustments to help us win. We’re all focused on Kansas City, and these moves give us a better chance to come out on top.” As the Patriots prepare for their Week 13 showdown with the Chiefs, these roster moves have strengthened their lineup, addressed key vulnerabilities, and reinforced the team’s belief that they can compete with the NFL’s best. For New England, every transaction is a step toward their ultimate goal: returning to the playoffs and contending for another Super Bowl title.