The Patriots claimed safety Dewey McDonald via waivers from the Colts on Wednesday.
McDonald made the Colts and played in 12 games last year as an undrafted free agent. He’d spent this season on the practice squad until last week. The Patriots probably see him as a potential special teams upgrade and possible developmental safety prospect.
The Colts promoted McDonald last week from the practice squad because two of their top three safeties were injured. The Colts waived McDonald this week because they needed a replacement for injured wide receiver Phillip Dorsett.
The Patriots created a roster spot by placing linebacker Rufus Johnson on the reserve/non-football illness list. Johnson, who’s in his third NFL season and first with the Patriots, had appeared in one game.