Patriots place Dell Pettus on IR, promote Jose Ramirez before Jaguars trip

The Patriots placed safety Dell Pettus on injured reserve Wednesday and signed linebacker Jose Ramirez from their practice squad to the 53-man roster, the team announced. New England also added linebacker Benton Whitley to its practice squad. The three moves are filed on the club's transaction log ahead of Sunday's trip to Jacksonville.

Pettus's move removes a reserve safety and special-teams contributor from the active roster. The Patriots did not give a specific injury or return timetable in their transaction announcement. Pettus played in all 17 regular-season games in 2025 and logged six special-teams tackles, according to his team bio. That history makes his absence a depth issue even without a starting role.

The rest of New England's safety picture is still developing. Craig Woodson did not practice Wednesday because of a shoulder issue, according to the team's Week 3 injury report. Brenden Schooler, listed with a back issue, was limited. Those practice designations are daily participation reports, not game-status rulings, and they do not by themselves determine who will be available Sunday.

Ramirez, 27, had been on New England's practice squad since Sept. 1. The former Buccaneers sixth-round pick appeared in four NFL games in 2024 on defense and special teams, the Patriots said. Coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday that Ramirez has improved as a practice player and earned recognition for his work with the scout team. Vrabel added that there may be an opportunity for him to help this week, while leaving the 48-man game-day decision open.

Whitley's signing replenishes the practice squad rather than the active roster. The linebacker has appeared in six NFL games and has been with several clubs since entering the league in 2022. His addition does not guarantee a Sunday elevation.

The next checks are New England's remaining injury reports and final game-day activations. Wednesday's filing establishes the Pettus and Ramirez roster statuses; it does not yet settle the safety rotation or Ramirez's role against the Jaguars.