The New England Patriots have elevated linebacker Ochaun Mathis from the practice squad for their upcoming game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
Mathis, 25, has been brought up a second time this season. He previously was moved up for the Patriots’ loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, playing 11 combined snaps as a member of New England’s special teams operation.
A sixth-round draft pick out of Nebraska in the 2023 NFL Draft, Mathis appeared in eight games as a rookie with the Los Angeles Rams. However, the team decided to release him ahead of roster cutdowns in late August. He subsequently found his way to the New England practice squad, where he has remained ever since.
Mathis being elevated comes a day after the Patriots listed two members of their linebacker corps as questionable to play versus Jacksonville. Sione Takitaki and Curtis Jacobs both carried that label into the weekend due to knee injuries.
In total, the Patriots have eight players listed on their injury report.
Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe did not make the trip across the Atlantic and was ruled out on Thursday. Meanwhile, Takitaki and Jacobs are joined by running back Rhamondre Stevenson (foot), wide receiver Javon Baker (illness), guard Michael Jordan (ankle) and cornerbacks Jonathan Jones (shoulder) and Marco Wilson (groin) as the questionables.
No player at those positions being elevated can be interpreted as a positive sign.
