The Patriots have lost some of their enviable cornerback depth.
The club placed reserve corner Alfonzo Dennard on injured reserve on Saturday. To replace Dennard on the roster, the club called up wide receiver Josh Boyce from the practice squad.
The 25-year-old Dennard has started 20 games in three seasons with New England, but he had fallen down the depth chart in 2014. Nevertheless, he was an experienced option to call upon if needed. Dennard had been ruled out of Sunday’s regular-season finale vs. Buffalo with a hamstring injury.
Boyce, 23, appeared in nine games for New England in 2013, catching nine passes for 121 yards. However, New England waived him after the 2014 preseason, then re-signed him to the practice squad. A TCU product, Boyce was a fourth-round pick in 2013.
Boyce’s promotion comes with wide receivers Julian Edelman (thigh, concussion) and Brandon LaFell (shoulder) questionable for Sunday. The Patriots have clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and are in a position to rest starters if they so choose — and it appears they will, at least to some extent.