FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have signed rookie TE C.J. Dippre to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and released S John Saunders Jr. from the 53-man roster. In addition, the Patriots signed LB Otis Reese to the practice squad and placed LB Darius Harris on the practice squad injured reserve list.
Dippre, 23, was signed by New England as a rookie free agent out of Alabama on May 9, 2025. The 6-foot-5, 256-pounder, was released at the end of training camp and signed to the practice squad. Dippre started his career at Maryland (2021-22) before transferring to Alabama (2023-24) for his final two seasons. He played in 52 career games with 37 starts and totaled 65 receptions for 782 yards and 3 touchdowns during his college career.
Reese, 27, spent the last two seasons with the Tennessee Titans and part of the 2025 season on the Buffalo Bills practice squad. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Tennessee out of Mississippi in 2023. He was released by Tennessee at the end of training camp this past summer and was signed by Buffalo to the practice squad. Reese was released by Buffalo from the practice squad on Oct. 7, 2025. He has played in 20 NFL games during his two seasons with Tennessee and has 26 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed and 12 special teams tackles.
Harris, 29, was signed by New England to the practice squad on Sept. 3, 2025, and was elevated for three games. The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder, has spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs (2019-23) and Dallas Cowboys (2024) after originally entering the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Chiefs out of Middle Tennessee State in 2019.
Saunders, 24, was signed by New England to the 53-man roster from the Miami practice squad on Oct. 30, 2025. The 6-foot-2, 211-pounder, originally signed with Miami as a rookie free agent out of Mississippi on May 9, 2025, and began the season on the practice squad. He began his college career at Miami (Ohio) before transferring to Mississippi following the 2022 season.
