FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have signed OL Chris Barker to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. In addition, the Patriots signed DB Dewey McDonald to the practice squad. McDonald was released from the 53-man roster on Thursday.
Barker, 25, has had two stints so far in 2015 on the New England practice squad. He originally joined the Patriots when he was claimed off waivers from Miami on Sept. 1, 2013. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder, entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Miami out of Nevada on May 3, 2013. He played in four games as a rookie in 2013 with the Patriots. Last season, he spent the majority of the year on the New England practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster for a two-game stint in October. He saw action in one game and was inactive for one game.
McDonald, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 28. The 6-foot, 220-pounder, was inactive for the game against Miami on Oct. 29 and saw action last Sunday in his Patriots debut in the win against Washington. McDonald originally joined Indianapolis as a rookie free agent on May 12, 2014 out of California (Pa.). The 6-foot, 220-pounder, began his rookie season on the practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster on Sept. 29, 2014. He played in 12 games mostly on special teams and finished second on the team with 13 special teams tackles. McDonald played in all three postseason games, including the AFC Championship Game against New England. He began the 2015 campaign on the practice squad but was signed to the 53-man roster and saw action vs. New Orleans on Oct. 25 before being released on Oct. 27.
