Packers claim TE Michael Roberts off waivers

Less than a week ago, Michael Roberts thought he had joined the New England Patriots. Instead, he will land with the Green Bay Packers, who claimed him off waivers Monday.

A 6-foot-5, 265-pound tight end, Roberts spent the first two seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions. He registered 13 receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns over that span, but with the arrival of free-agent tight end Jesse James and first-round selection T.J. Hockenson, Roberts became expendable.

This past week, the Lions agreed to swap Roberts for a conditional seventh-round pick from the Patriots. The trade ultimately fell through after Roberts reportedly failed his physical with New England and Detroit released him soon after, ending Roberts’ stay in the Motor City after two years.

Roberts didn’t have to venture far to find his next NFL home, however. The Packers added him as part of their offseason-long effort to reinvigorate their tight-end group. The team drafted Texas A&M product Jace Sternberger in the third round and recently claimed Pharoah McKever off waivers. They join returning tight ends Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan, and Evan Baylis as training camp approaches next month.

With Roberts in the fold, the Packers fill the void created by the recent release of running back Kapri Bibbs. The team’s roster stands at its full 90-man capacity.