Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins‘ hamstring injury may be worse than reports so far have shown. After missing last week’s game because of the injury, Hawkins did not participate in practice today, and in a move that may be linked to the situation, New England signed former Falcons starting safety Richie Grant, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.

Grant’s contract with the Patriots will reportedly be a practice squad deal, continuing a downward trend for the former second-round pick out of UCF. Grant served almost two years in Atlanta as a full-time starter following his rookie campaign. Late in 2023, though, he got passed up on the depth chart, and last year, he only started one game in the Falcons secondary.

As a free agent, Grant signed with the 49ers and even made the initial 53-man roster, but he was waived two days later. Once again a free agent, Grant was able to work out with the Colts in the days leading up to the regular season, but ultimately, no deal came along.

Hawkins has been part of a new-look defensive backstop for the Patriots this year. The team released Jabrill Peppers before the start of the season, and trade rumors had been surrounding Kyle Dugger for some time. Hawkins, a waiver claim during the 2024 season, and Craig Woodson, a fourth-round rookie who hails from the same alma mater as Hawkins, opened the season as the team’s starting safeties.

With Hawkins’ absence stretching into the early days of practice this week, there’s a chance New England pursued Grant because of his starting experience. Dugger struggled in last week’s start, second-year defender Dell Pettus has been working in a minimized box safety role this year, and Brenden Schooler is an All-Pro special teamer. Grant’s two years of starting experience may give him a shot at filling in until Hawkins can overcome his ailing hamstring.