The Patriots have made their second trade of the bye week.
They shipped 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 personnel while they wait for Chris Jones to return from the physically unable to perform list.