Sunday’s kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.
While rookie running back Terrell Jennings traveled to Orchard Park as a member of the 53-man roster, the New England Patriots also brought veterans from the practice squad along with him.
The organization announced the elevations of wide receiver Alex Erickson and linebacker Monty Rice on the eve of Sunday’s game against the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills.
Erickson, 32, had signed to the practice squad earlier in the week. Now 107 games into his NFL career, the 6-foot, 195-pound Wisconsin product entered the league with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He led the league in kickoff return yardage as a rookie and has made stops with the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers in recent years. A 17-game starter, Erickson’s career includes 112 receptions for 1,373 yards and two touchdowns out wide. As a returner of 162 punts and 110 kickoffs, he stands with respective averages of 8.0 yards and 24.8 yards per.
Rice, 25, arrived in Foxborough in November. The No. 92 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft spent three seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He appeared in 35 games, including 10 starts at linebacker, having a hand in 128 tackles and a pair of pass deflections before being claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints last December. The 6-foot, 233-pound Georgia product signed to the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons following the 53-man roster deadline and was released in October. His time in the league has spanned 631 snaps on defense and 412 snaps on special teams.
Both standard call-ups are scheduled to revert following the divisional matchup.
The Patriots ruled out running back JaMycal Hasty and cornerback Marcus Jones on the final injury report. Five others moved forward as questionable, including rookie offensive tackle Caedan Wallace, who has yet to be activated from injured reserve after having his 21-day practice window open last week.
Sunday’s flexed kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.