After having an impressive preseason with the New England Patriots, the team has decided to keep undrafted free agent Efton Chism on the 53-man roster, according to the Patriots Beat’s Ben Alford-Peltzman.
The UDFA from Eastern Washington stood out, only playing in the team’s first two preseason games, hauling in 12 receptions for 121 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
His performance earned him a roster spot and some praise from the player who will be throwing him the ball his rookie season.
Quarterback Drake Maye credited Chism’s work ethic and trying to earn a role in New England.
“It’s a great example of a guy coming in here trying to earn a role doing things the right way,” Maye said, via Boston[dot]com. “Hanging around a veteran — I always see him with Mack Hollins… Just hanging around him. Going through plays. Getting extra conditioning.”
“He’s always in the treatment room. I always joke with him — he’s always in there working on his body and getting healthy. But hey, that stuff matters. I think at the end of the day, stuff like that, showing up every day and doing things right gets you on the team and gets you on the field. It’s what’s made the Patriots so good in the past.”
The shifty 5’10” receiver finds himself on a rebuild with the New England Patriots, with the team making an interesting decision with the wide receiver group.
Patriots Wide Receiver Room
Adam Hunger/Getty ImagesNew England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne
With the NFL Cut Down day concluded, the New England Patriots will have 8 wide receivers on the 53-man roster.
The will place Efton Chism lower on the Patriots’ depth chart during their week one matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The regular season will start in two weeks, so there is time for the Patriots to make some moves with the wide receiver group to help reduce the number.
Receivers Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte have been mentioned in trade proposals, but nothing has been achieved yet.
Chism will have to work his way up during the season to be able to get the most playing time possible his rookie season.
Efton Chism Dealing With Injury
GettyNew England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism (center) played 5 seasons at Eastern Washington
While Efton Chism made the 53-man roster with the Patriots, it could be a bit longer before Patriots fans get their first look at the undrafted free agent in regular season action.
Chism is currently dealing with a foot and ankle injury that forced him out of the final preseason game against the New York Giants and out of practice last week.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss said that Chism rode the stationary bike “rather rigorously” at practice, believing his injury is a “shorter-term absence in play.”
With the two weeks left before the start of the regular season, the former Eastern Washington WR can get up to 100% and be ready for his rookie year.
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