Rookie guard Mehki Butler has been signed to New England’s practice squad, easing offensive-line depth concerns after recent injuries. For bettors: this is a modest positive — it slightly lowers the risk of a drastic OL downgrade that could hurt Patriots’ rushing totals or offensive props, but monitor starter injury statuses; significant betting moves depend on whether starters are ruled out.
Patriots add depth with Mehki Butler practice-squad signing
The New England Patriots have brought back rookie offensive lineman Mehki Butler, signing him to the practice squad as the team emerges from its bye week. Butler, a developmental guard with starting experience at the college level, returns to a roster coping with multiple injuries along the offensive line.
Butler’s path: from junior college to the NFL doorway
Butler, 24, began at Iowa Western Community College in 2020 where he earned NJCAA first-team All-American honors, then transferred to Arkansas State. After redshirting his first season, he started 38 games at left guard for the Red Wolves and measured in at roughly 6'3", 310 pounds. Undrafted in April, Butler earned a rookie minicamp look, later signing as an undrafted free agent and spending offseason workouts and training camp with New England.
Current offensive-line picture in New England
The signing follows injuries that have thinned the Patriots' offensive-line rotation. Starting left tackle Will Campbell has been placed on injured reserve, and left guard Jared Wilson has also been sidelined. Veterans Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown have stepped into starting roles alongside center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Michael Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses. Butler will add depth behind those players and join other young linemen on the roster.
What Butler brings to the table
Butler showed developmental flashes in camp and maintained ties to the organization throughout the season; he even kept a locker at Gillette Stadium. The former Arkansas State starter offers positional versatility inside and experience as a consistent college starter—traits that make him a logical practice-squad addition as the Patriots manage injuries.
Immediate roster impact
At this stage, Butler’s signing is a depth move rather than a guarantee of game-day snaps. He provides an internal option should injuries persist or escalate, and gives the coaching staff another body to rotate in practice and prepare for potential absences.
Betting implications — what punters should watch
This addition slightly reduces downside risk for Pats' offensive performance if backups are needed, which can temper sharp reactions on short-term props tied to the run game or offensive totals. However, the signing alone is unlikely to move closing spreads; meaningful betting adjustments will depend on official injury reports for starters and any elevation of Butler to the active roster.
Butler’s outlook
For Butler, the move continues a steady climb from junior college to professional opportunity. He says he’s learning from veteran teammates and is eager to continue developing as a player. If he earns game elevations, the signing could become more than just insurance—it could be an early audition for a longer-term role.
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The New England Patriots are adding some much-needed depth to their offensive line.
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