In a significant roster move, the New England Patriots have placed punter Bryce Baringer and linebacker Khalil Jacobs on injured reserve. This decision was announced on Monday evening, marking a pivotal moment as the team finalizes its preparations for the upcoming 2026 NFL season.
Both players will be sidelined for a minimum of four games, but they could return to the active roster if their 21-day practice windows open as scheduled. A potential return could align with the Patriots' matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium in October, a game that fans will be eagerly anticipating.
Baringer, who is 27 years old, suffered an injury during the second preseason game, which forced quarterback Behren Morton to step in as the emergency punter. The Patriots concluded the preseason with Matt Haack filling the punting role and have since signed veteran Mitch Wishnowsky to their practice squad. Baringer, drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft as the 192nd overall pick, has been a consistent presence for the Patriots, participating in all 51 games since his arrival. He has averaged an impressive 47.9 yards per punt, with season-long kicks of 79, 75, and 73 yards.
Jacobs, 23, managed to secure a spot on the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie despite missing the preseason finale due to injury. The 6-foot-1, 227-pound linebacker had shown promise during the preseason, recording eight tackles and making one start. Jacobs joined the Patriots after spending two years at South Alabama and two years at Missouri, where he played in all 13 games in 2025, accumulating 47 tackles and three sacks.
In addition to the injuries, the Patriots made several other roster adjustments. They claimed tight end Cameron Latu and linebacker Darius Muasau off waivers following the roster cutdown deadline. To accommodate these new additions on the active roster, the team released veteran players center Ben Brown and linebacker K.J. Britt.
Furthermore, the Patriots announced a total of 12 signings to their initial practice squad as part of the roster moves made on Monday. These changes reflect the team's ongoing efforts to refine their lineup as they head into the new season, aiming to build a competitive squad capable of making a significant impact in the league.
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