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Patriots Announce WR Move Before Texans Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Jan 13, 2026 4:41 PM ET

The No. 2 seed New England Patriots advanced to the Divisional Round with a 16-3 win over the No. 7 seed Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round.

Despite a close 6-3 game at halftime, the Patriots smothered quarterback Justin Herbert and frustrated the Chargers offense all game long.

After both teams went without a touchdown in the first three quarters, Drake Maye connected with former Chargers tight end Hunter Henry on a 28-yard touchdown in the fourth that put the score at 16-3.

Now, the Patriots advance to face the No. 5 seed Houston Texans on Sunday in the Divisional Round with an AFC title game berth on the line.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake MayeBrian Fluharty-Imagn Images

On Tuesday, the Patriots made some roster moves, and one notable addition was adding veteran wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. to the practice squad.

The Patriots also added CB Miles Battle, RB D'Ernest Johnson, T Lorenz Metz to the practice squad while releasing DL Fabien Lovett and WR Brandon Smith.

Patriots make changes to the practice squad: https://t.co/CYvTfGLCkT pic.twitter.com/xUWwE2MwM1
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 13, 2026

Sherfield is 29 years old but has bounced around the NFL since coming into the league following his college run with the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Sherfield spent the first three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before playing with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings and then the Denver Broncos from the 2021 to the 2025 season.

In 2025, Sherfield played 10 games with Denver before re-joining the Cardinals for two games.

In his career, he had 89 receptions for 1,034 yards with six touchdowns, but his best year came in 2022 when he had 30 catches for 417 yards and two scores with the Dolphins.

Mike Reiss of ESPN reported that the Patriots have one open roster spot for Sunday's game, but right now, he views Johnson as the favorite to be the one activated to the roster.

Patriots practice-squad transactions:

Signed: CB Miles Battle, RB D'Ernest Johnson, OT Lorenz Metz, WR Trent Sherfield Sr.

Waived: DL Fabien Lovett, WR Brandon Smith

NOTES: Johnson cleared waivers, now top option to elevate to game-day roster Sunday...1 open roster spot.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 13, 2026