NFL waiver claims: Patriots claim Khyri Thornton off waivers

Khyri Thornton has a fresh start with a new team.

The Patriots claimed the former Packers defensive linemen off waivers Sunday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

#Patriots claimed Khyri Thornton

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2015

Thornton, a 2014 third-round pick by the Packers, was one of the Packers' 20 cuts at Saturday's NFL cutdown deadline. He joined wide receiver Jared Abbrederis and linebacker Carl Bradford among players let go from last year's draft class.

Thornton's cut came at no surprise. The 25-year-old spent his entire rookie season on injured reserved after sustaining a hamstring injury in Green Bay's preseason finale. He came back healthy this offseason, but was ineffective during camp and in the preseason. He was a possible candidate for the practice squad, but he needed to clear waivers for that to happen. The former Southern Mississippi product has yet to appear in an NFL regular season contest.

The addition of Thornton gives the Patriots nine on its defensive line. New England's rotation features three rookies he'll compete with for snaps, including 2015 first-round pick Malcolm Brown.