Patriots Sign WR Brenden Rice Amid Injuries

Foxborough, Massachusetts – The New England Patriots have signed wide receiver Brenden Rice to their practice squad, bolstering their receiving corps amid injury concerns. This decision came shortly after receiver Kayshon Boutte suffered a hamstring injury during the Patriots’ recent victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Rice, 23, was a seventh-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $4.1 million contract with the Chargers but was waived before the regular season began. Last year, he played in three games, primarily on special teams, without making any recorded statistics.

Rice, the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, gained significant attention during his time at the University of Southern California, where he caught 111 passes for 1,821 yards and scored 21 touchdowns over four seasons.

Despite not yet establishing himself in the NFL, Rice’s family name carries a legacy that adds intrigue to his career. He is expected to provide depth on the practice squad as the Patriots prepare for their next game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Patriots, with a record of 7-2, will face the 6-2 Buccaneers this Sunday, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.