FOXBORO — The Patriots yesterday made their second trade of the bye week, shipping tight end Michael Hoomanawanui to the Saints for defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, according to a source. This came two days after they acquired linebacker Jon Bostic from the Bears for a sixth-round pick.
Hoomanawanui was a healthy scratch Sunday against the Jaguars for the first time in his four-season tenure with the Patriots, as he had fallen to fourth on the tight end depth chart.
Hicks, a 6-foot-5, 324-pounder, could seemingly play across the line, but he might help boost the interior defensive personnel while the team waits for Chris Jones to return from the physically unable to perform list.