Tight end CJ Dippre has not played in his first NFL season, but that could change on Sunday.
Dippre will be eligible to play when New England takes on the Cincinnati Bengals after the Patriots signed the former Alabama tight end from their practice squad to their 53-man roster on Monday, the NFL team announced.
Dippre joins Hunter Henry as the healthy tight ends on New England’s active roster. Tight end Austin Hooper missed the Patriots’ 27-14 victory over the New York Jets on Thursday night because of a concussion.
Hunter is second on the team with 34 receptions for 422 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games this season. Hooper has 13 receptions for 274 yards and one touchdown.
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Dippre had 32 receptions for 443 yards during his two seasons at Alabama after starting his college career at Maryland.
Dippre signed with New England on May 9 after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Patriots waived the tight end when they reduced their 90-player preseason roster to the regular-season limit of 53 in August.
After Dippre cleared waivers, he re-signed with New England for practice-squad duty.
The Patriots and Bengals square off at noon CST Sunday at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Another player with Alabama football roots lost his NFL practice-squad spot. The Los Angeles Rams released outside linebacker Jamil Muhammad from their practice squad on Monday.
The former James Clemens High School quarterback had been with the Rams since signing as an undrafted rookie in the offseason.
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