The incorporation occurs after New England added Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham to their practice squad
The New England Patriots claimed former Carolina Panthers quarterback, Matt Corral, on Thursday, giving the club a second passer behind starting quarterback Mac Jones on the 53-man roster.
Corral felt on Tuesday that he had made the 53-man roster for Carolina, saying that he couldn't wait to join the quarterbacks room with Bryce Young, the first overall pick in last April's draft, and veteran Andy Dalton. But the third-round pick from 2022 out of Ole Miss was released by the Panthers on Wednesday.
The Patriots re-signed second-year quarterback Bailey Zappe and undrafted rookie passer Malik Cunningham to the team's practice squad on Wednesday, after both were released as part of the final cuts on Tuesday.
Zappe generated interest from other teams for their practice squads, but chose to stay with the New England squad, according to a source.
Meanwhile, Malik Cunningham's dual-threat abilities, both passing and running, bring a dramatic contrast to Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, and he is expected to be used to help prepare the club's defense to face quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles in the first regular season game on September 10.
Cunningham shined as a collegiate quarterback for Louisville and had been used as a change-of-pace option in practices throughout training camp, in addition to working as a wide receiver and on special teams.
Matt Corral missed his entire rookie season with the Panthers due to a Lisfranc injury suffered in the preseason last year, so he has not yet made his debut as an NFL passer in an official game.
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