Mike Vrabel shines light on new Patriots WR amid Kayshon Boutte injury

FOXBOROUGH — With Kayshon Boutte sidelined with a hamstring injury, putting his status for Week 10 in doubt, the New England Patriots brought in another wide receiver.

On Tuesday, the Patriots signed former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice to the practice squad, who also happens to be the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

And one day later, Mike Vrabel revealed why he and the team decided to have Rice join the team.

“Good size, I think he’s shown the ability to learn quickly,” Vrabel detailed. “I think that that was something that’s important at this time of year, being able to get a guy in here that can help us at multiple spots if something happens. Start on the practice squad, and then everybody has to prepare like a starter.”

Rice appeared in just three games during his rookie season with the Chargers, having been selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft out of USC. However, he was released in August as part of Los Angeles’ final roster cuts.

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