The New England Patriots appear to be looking for whatever advantage they can possibly find in the week leading up to a Week 1 contest against the Miami Dolphins. New England claimed safety Don Jones, Miami's 2013 seventh round pick, off waivers earlier this week. The Patriots added to their former Dolphins collection today by signing running back/wide receiver/kick returner Marcus Thigpen to the team's practice squad, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Thigpen was signed out of the Canadian Football League by the Dolphins in 2012, working primarily as a kick- and punt-returner during his two years with the team; Miami also listed him as a reserve running back and wide receiver. He appeared in all 32 games over the 2012 and 2013 seasons for Miami, returning 60 pounts for a 9.7 yards per return average and 77 kickoffs for a 24.9 yards per return mark. He also scored once in each return type. He has nine career receptions for 112 yards a score, as well as seven carries for 26 yards.
The Dolphins and Patriots face off on Sunday at 1pm ET in South Florida's Sun Life Stadium.