Patriots claim former Buccanneers LB Jack Cichy off waivers

The Patriots claimed former Buccaneers linebacker Jack Cichy off waivers Thursday.

Cichy contributed primarily on special teams over two-plus seasons in Tampa Bay, where he selected in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. The 25-year-old has been injury prone dating back to college, ending each of the last four seasons with serious ailments, including two torn ACLs and a torn pectoral muscle. Cichy has seen only seven defensive snaps in the NFL, but 259 as a regular on special teams.

As a prospect out of Wisconsin, Cichy was regarded as a hard-working edge rusher who would immediately impact the kicking game. Before joining the Pats, the 6-foot-2, 238-pounder must clear the league’s COVID-19 protocols, which mandate testing negative for five consecutive days. Cichy will not immediately count against the team’s roster limit.

Eventually, he should pad the Patriots’ outside linebackers depth, which currently includes Chase Winovich, John Simon, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings and Tashawn Bower, with veteran Shilique Calhoun still on injured reserve.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/33CRmiH