FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that they have signed DB Mike Hilton and DB Vinnie Sunseri to the practice squad. Sunseri was released by the Patriots on Sept. 3, 2016.Â
Hilton, 22, was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agent on May 1, 2016, out of Mississippi. The 5-foot-9, 184-pounder, was released by the Jaguars on Aug. 29, 2016. He started at every position in the defensive backfield during his college career. Last season, he started in 11 of 13 games and finished with 70 total tackles and 15 passes defensed.
Sunseri, 22, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on July 24, 2016. The 6-foot, 210-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He played in nine games as a rookie mostly on special teams, finishing with six special teams tackles and one tackle on defense, Last season, Sunseri, missed the entire season due to injury. He was released by the Saints on April 25, 2016. Â