Patriots Acquire LB Jonathan Casillas in Trade with Tampa Bay

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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Matt LaPan, GoLocal Worcester Sports Reporter

The New England Patriots announced today that they have acquired linebacker Jonathan Casillas from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a trade deadline day deal. The terms of the trade have not yet been announced.

To make room for Casillas on the roster, the Patriots have released offensive lineman Chris Barker -- who will likely find his way back onto the Patriots practice squad.

The addition of Casillas is a depth move by the Patriots, adding the 6th-year linebacker to bolster a defense that is mission Jerod Mayo for the year along with Chandler Jones for an unknown amount of time.

Casillas entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2009 out of Wisconsin as a member of the New Orleans Saints. He played four seasons with the Saints, playing as a sub player at times, but mostly as a special teams player. Casillas played in four postseason games with the Saints, including Super Bowl XLIV. He joined the Buccaneers in 2013, playing in five games as a depth and special teams player.

The announcement was made on Twitter, and Casillas' agent, Blake Baratz, tweeted about the trade to Patriots fans.

The @Patriots just got a very good player in @jcasillas52. Pats fans and teammates will love his athleticism. Looking for 2nd Super Bowl too
— Blake Baratz (@blakebaratz) October 28, 2014