Patriots sign veteran guard to 53-man roster, make multiple practice squad changes

After the New England Patriots placed offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor on the exempt/left squad list before Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, they were left with an open spot on their 53-man roster.

New England quickly filled that hole on Monday, signing veteran guard Michael Jordan from their own practice squad. The 26-year-old was elevated twice in the first two weeks and played every single offensive snap for the team in those contests. Prior to signing with the Patriots this offseason, he appeared in 57 games (starting 31) for the Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals.

The Patriots also made four other practice squad moves, releasing linebacker Yvandy Rigby and safety AJ Thomas to sign cornerback DJ James and safety Mark Perry.

James, 23, was a sixth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks this year out of Auburn. In college, he appeared in 56 games and recorded 145 tackles and five interceptions. He was released during roster cuts.

Perry, 23, signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent this offseason after playing collegiately for TCU and Colorado. He appeared in 48 college games and recorded 226 tackles and three interceptions. He was most recently on the Houston Texans practice squad.

Rigby, 24, joined New England's practice squad this year after originally signing with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Temple.

Thomas, 24, signed with New England in the preseason after a stint with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions. He originally signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2022 out of Western Michigan.

The Patriots should have one open practice squad spot left and may open up another roster spot later this week when they put lineback Ja'Whaun Bentley on injured reserve.

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