The New England Patriots have bolstered their receiving corps by signing second-year wide receiver Brenden Rice to their practice squad, as reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. This signing comes in the wake of concerns over receiver Kayshon Boutte, who suffered a hamstring injury during last Sunday’s victory against the Atlanta Falcons.
Brenden Rice, while still early in his professional career, has a recognizable name in the world of football. He is the son of the legendary NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice, who is often regarded as the greatest non-quarterback in the history of the sport. Brenden Rice had an impressive college career at USC, finishing his senior season with 791 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Rice was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft but found limited playing time in his rookie season, appearing in just three games primarily on special teams and failing to register a catch. After being released by the Chargers following training camp last summer, he has since been training to prove his worth.
As Rice joins the Patriots, he is expected to provide additional depth for a team currently boasting a strong 7-2 record. The Patriots are set to face the 6-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. With his pedigree and potential, fans might hope that Rice can make an impact on the field, especially given his family’s storied history in the NFL.