New England padded Week 4 depth by adding Royce Newman and Gee Scott Jr. to the practice squad, signaling a practical plan for protection and receiving help against Carolina. Newman, a veteran interior lineman with Packers and Buccaneers stops, can back up or start at guard as needed. Scott, Ohio State alum who moved from WR to TE, brings blocking and receiving versatility that could surface in two-TE looks and red-zone packages.

With Jared Wilson banged up and Hunter Henry’s knee health monitored, the Patriots are layering contingency options for Week 4. Scott’s arrival could translate into immediate two-TE alignments, while Newman provides insurance on the interior line. The Panthers’ front will test interior depth, making this roster shuffle a fantasy-adjacent storyline—potential early impact with injuries, and longer-term depth that could shape the offense’s protection and pass-game options.

Beyond New England, the week’s activity includes Mark Robinson joining the Jets at linebacker and Thayer Munford Jr. landing with the Browns at tackle, underscoring a league-wide emphasis on practice-squad depth as teams prep for Sunday action. The matchup in Foxborough presents a genuine test for interior blocking and tight-end versatility, with fantasy angles centered on run efficiency and short-to-mid-range targets.

New England trades Ja’Lynn Polk to New Orleans and promotes Kobee Minor and Mark Robinson from the practice squad. Polk, a 2024 second-rounder, logged 12 catches for 87 yards and 2 TDs in 15 games before a shoulder injury ended his rookie season. Minor (Memphis, 2025 seventh-round) and Robinson (Pittsburgh, 2022 seventh-round) join as active players as NE heads to Miami for a pivotal Sunday matchup.

The Saints acquire Polk to bolster their WR corps, while New England leans on depth pieces on defense and special teams heading into the clash with the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m.

Patriots add Cory Durden to the 53-man roster and promote Corey Ballentine and Mark Robinson, while Jeremiah Pharms Jr. is released. Durden has appeared in eight NFL games for 13 tackles; Ballentine owns 69 games with 67 tackles, one INT and two forced fumbles; Robinson has 34 tackles in 38 games with a sack; Pharms Jr. logged 28 games with 42 tackles and two sacks.

The club opens at Gillette against the Raiders, testing new interior and secondary depth. Durden could spell run-stuffing duties, Ballentine provides veteran CB depth and special-teams value, and Robinson adds linebacker versatility. Pharms Jr.’s departure tightens a crowded roster; early fantasy takeaways point to increased Patriots defensive depth and rotational roles rather than immediate starter production.