“Patriots fill open roster spots with multiple moves ahead of Dolphins game”

The New England Patriots filled their three open roster spots in one fell swoop on Saturday.

The Patriots got some big reinforcements back when New England announced that wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and hybrid safety Marte Mapu had been added to the 53-man roster. That makes them eligible to play in Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins after Bourne and Mapu began the season on the unable-to-play list and the injured reserve list, respectively.

New England secured its final roster spot by signing defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy from the team's practice squad. Roy played 12 games for the Vikings last season before being cut by Minnesota after training camp this year.

The Patriots also signed offensive lineman Bryan Hudson and linebacker Ochaun Mathis from the practice squad for the divisional duel. Hudson's promotion is notable because backup center David Andrews could be used on injured reserve and backup center Nick Leverett is questionable for Week 5 with an ankle injury. Hudson has never played in an NFL game.

The returns of Bourne and Mapu could shake up a New England team lacking playmakers on both sides of the ball. It will be the first game in nearly a year for Bourne, who caught 37 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns before suffering a torn ACL last year.

Mapu, a 2023 third-round pick, underwhelmed in his rookie season but is expected to be a focal point in New England's defense, especially with Ja'Whaun Bentley on injured reserve and Kyle Dugger scheduled to compete is classified as questionable.

The Patriots and Dolphins will both look to end their three-game losing streak when they meet at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.