FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots signed LB Jeff Tarpinian from the practice squad to the 53-man roster today. To make room on the 53-man roster, the Patriots released OL Matt Tennant.
Tarpinian, 25, made the New England 53-man roster last season after joining the team as a rookie free agent out of Iowa. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder played in seven games with one start and finished with four defensive tackles and eight special teams tackles. He was placed on injured reserve with a head injury on Nov. 24, 2011. Tarpinian was released by the Patriots on Aug. 31, 2012 and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1, 2012.
Tennant, 25, was originally claimed off waivers by the Patriots from New Orleans on Sept. 1, 2012. He was released on Sept. 4, 2012 before being re-signed by the Patriots on Sept. 29, 2012. Tennant was inactive for three games with the Patriots. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder was drafted by the Saints in the fifth round (158th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Boston College. He has played in 28 NFL games as the Saints primary backup at center and guard. Tennant was released by the Saints on Aug. 31, 2012.
