The New England Patriots were expected to be active at the trade deadline on Tuesday, but the front office ended up standing pat.

The only move the team ended up making saw them sign wide receiver Brendan Rice to the practice squad, which led to another player getting released later in the day.

With Kayshon Boutte suffering a hamstring injury that could force him to miss some time, the Pats brought in Rice, who is the son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, as an extra layer of insurance.

Of course, when one player joins the team, another one has to head for the exit door.

In this case, that player was veteran running back Jonathan Ward, who was signed to the team’s practice squad last week after Terrell Jennings was signed from the practice squad to the active roster.

“Patriots sign WR Brenden Rice to the practice squad; Release RB Jonathan Ward from the practice squad,” the team announced in a post on X.

With Ward also being joined on the practice squad by fellow running backs Rushawn Baker and D’Ernest Johnson, his spot on the team always seemed tenuous.

With Johnson getting elevated to the active roster for Week 9, that was the first inkling that Ward may not be spending long with the team.

New England didn’t add another running back at the trade deadline, they seem to have the position well-stocked, with Jennings backing up Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

However, if Stevenson misses his second straight game with a toe injury, Ward’s absence on the practice squad could be felt.