Eric Tomlinson remains on Patriots roster, filling Josh Gordon’s spot

The New England Patriots will keep tight end Eric Tomlinson on their 53-man roster, despite announcing that he was released on Wednesday.

The Patriots announced that Tomlinson and Jordan Richards were released from the team after acquiring Mohamed Sanu and Justin Bethel. Shortly after, they put Josh Gordon on the injured reserve list and a roster spot opened back up, which Tomlinson filled.

TE Eric Tomlinson was not released yesterday and is on the #Patriots 53-man roster.

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 24, 2019

Gordon’s knee injury was minor and putting him on the injured reserve list likely pushed him out of New England. ESPN’s Mike Reiss speculated that something happened with Gordon on Wednesday that altered their decision about keeping him on the roster.

The Patriots had announced the transaction as a way to make room for WR Mohamed Sanu. But later in the day, the club instead placed WR Josh Gordon on IR to create the roster spot, which sparks a question that perhaps something happened with Gordon on Wednesday to change plans. https://t.co/DUomSSGzei

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 24, 2019

The Patriots depth chart currently consists of Tomlinson, Matt LaCosse, Benjamin Watson and Ryan Izzo. Tomlinson was originally signed by the Patriots before their Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets and he made his debut with a one-yard reception.