New England Patriots sign former Detroit Lions linebacker Erick Hunter
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 12:55 PM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
The New England Patriots signed rookie linebacker Erick Hunter to their 53-man active roster on Tuesday. The move comes after Hunter was waived by the Detroit Lions during final roster cuts last Sunday. Although Hunter cleared waivers, the Patriots secured him for their active roster before he could join the Lions' practice squad. The 23-year-old out of Morgan State previously competed for a spot in a deep Detroit linebacker group that ultimately prioritized special-teams experience. Hunter appeared in training camp for Detroit and recorded an interception against Jared Goff during a preseason scrimmage. He now joins New England ahead of the NFL regular season.
- •Erick Hunter signed with the New England Patriots 53-man active roster on Tuesday.
- •The Detroit Lions waived Hunter following a preseason victory over Indianapolis.
- •Hunter cleared waivers before the Patriots signed him to the active roster.
- •Detroit kept six linebackers on their final roster instead of Hunter.
- •Hunter recorded 102 tackles and four sacks during his final season at Morgan State.
- 12:55 PMYahoo Sports — Former Lions UDFA LB signed to Patriots' 53-man roster
- 8:55 PMYahoo Sports — Detroit Lions Lose Promising Rookie to Patriots
"Former Detroit Lions rookie linebacker Erick Hunter has signed with the New England Patriots' 53-man active roster after being waived by Detroit during final roster cuts.
"After being released during roster cuts, former Lions UDFA linebacker Erick Hunter has quickly found a new NFL home.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 12:55 PMFormer Lions UDFA LB signed to Patriots' 53-man roster
After being released during roster cuts, former Lions UDFA linebacker Erick Hunter has quickly found a new NFL home.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 8:55 PMDetroit Lions Lose Promising Rookie to Patriots
Former Detroit Lions rookie linebacker Erick Hunter has signed with the New England Patriots' 53-man active roster after being waived by Detroit during final roster cuts.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Oct 18, 2026, 2:19 AMArizona Cardinals adjusting to double coverage for Trey McBride, Michael Wilson
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 8:52 PMBears could get back their 'explosiveness' with Caleb Williams return
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 6:34 PMJets Momentum Real After Beating Browns
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 5:34 PMWhat uniforms the Jets, Patriots will wear in Week 6
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 4:42 PMOmar Cooper, Xavier Worthy, And More Week 6 Boom-Or-Bust Fantasy Football Options
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 1:50 PMSource: Patriots likely to activate WR Brown for Sunday's game vs. Jets