Patriots add Kenbrell Thompkins, may seek trade for ‘big wide receiver’

The biggest surprise from Patriots “cut-down day” this past Saturday came the news that wide receiver Reggie Wayne asked for and was granted his release. With Brandon LaFell on the Physically Unable to Perform list, the Patriots are hurting at wide receiver.

NESN.com reporter Doug Kyed wrote this past weekend that the Patriots are actively shopping for a “big-bodied wide receiver.”

Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola will likely be Tom Brady’s main non-tight end targets Thursday night against the Steelers with Aaron Dobson getting some work on the outside.

The Pats did address the need for depth at the receiver position as they brought back Kenbrell Thompkins in a practice squad role. Thompkins played with Oakland last season.

“I think he’s a quality practice squad player,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told ESPN of Thompkins. “He was a roster player for us, he was a roster player for Oakland, so to have that level of a player on our roster – but not [really] on our roster, I think is good. It gives us a quality depth player there.”