Patriots sign Lil'Jordan Humphrey to practice squad

FOXBORO -- Lil'Jordan Humphrey did not make the Patriots' 53-man roster. But the wide receiver still has a spot in New England.

Humphrey was one of the 15 players signed to the Patriots' practice squad on Wednesday. Humphrey was released on Tuesday despite an impressive showing in training camp and during the preseason.

Humphrey didn't sign with the Patriots until the middle of June, but he made an immediate impact on the field. He caught on quickly in training camp and played in all three preseason games, hauling in a team-high 13 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.

But it wasn't just his preseason production that is appealing to New England. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Humphrey adds some serious size to the team's receiving corps, and he could also potentially help at tight end. That could become a position of need quickly, with only Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith making New England's 53-man roster.

Humphrey may on the practice squad, but he might not be on there for long. The Patriots will have an open roster spot once they place injured receiver Tyquan Thornton on IR, and Humphrey could fill that spot.

Here are the 15 players that the Patriots signed to their practice squad, all of whom were in training camp with New England this summer:

OL James Ferentz
RB Kevin Harris
DB Brad Hawkins
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey
LB Harvey Langi
LB Cameron McGrone
CB Terrance Mitchell
OL Bill Murray
WR Tre Nixon
DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
DL LaBryan Ray
OL Kody Russey
TE Matt Sokol
RB J.J. Taylor
TE Jalen Wydermyer.     

The Patriots were reportedly hoping to add tight end Devin Asiasi to the practice squad after he was part of Tuesday's roster cuts. But the 2020 third-round pick was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.