Patriots Add OL Depth by Re-Signing Rookie Guard

FOXBOROUGH, MA. — As the New England Patriots prepare to return after a much-needed and well-deserved bye week, they are adding some depth to a position which has been recently depleted by injury.

The Pats, via Patriots On SI’s Ethan Hurwitz, via source, have re-signed rookie offensive lineman Mehki Butler to their practice squad. Butler already has a locker bearing his name at Gillette Stadium, indicating that his return to New England should soon be confirmed by the NFL transaction wire. Butler spent both offseason workouts and training camp with the Patriots. Butler visited Foxborough during their bye week for a workout with the Patriots.

Butler began his football journey at Iowa Western Community College in 2020, where he earned NJCAA first-team All-American honors. The 24-year-old transferred to Arkansas State in 2023. After redshirting his first season, the 6’3” 310-pound lineman became a fixture at left guard, starting 38 games for the Red Wolves.

Though he was not selected in April’s draft, Butler was invited to attend Patriots rookie minicamp, where he wore jersey number 63. He parlayed a rookie minicamp invite into a free agent contract this May. The Arkansas State rookie had a number of solid flashes as a developmental player, undoubtedly keeping him on the Patriots radar throughout the season.

Butler’s signing comes on the heels of a recent rash of injuries to plague the Pats much-improved offensive line. Starting left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson have been out of the lineup due to their respective health issues — the former of which having officially been placed on injured reserve. Veterans Vederian Lowe (tackle) and Ben Brown (guard) have each ascended to the starting lineup, alongside center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Michael Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses.

A Patriots Homecoming, of sorts, for Mehki Butler