FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that OL Marcus Cannon has been activated to the 53-man roster from the reserve/non-football injury list. In addition, the Patriots released S Ross Ventrone and signed DB Malcolm Williams to the practice squad
Cannon, 23, was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 138th selection overall out of Texas Christian University. Cannon, 6-5, 358 pounds, appeared in 49 games at Texas Christian, starting the final 36 contests that he appeared in. He started 24 games at right offensive tackle and 12 on the left side. He moved from right tackle to left tackle as a senior in 2010. Cannon did not allow a sack in his final two seasons.
Ventrone, 25, has spent time on both the practice squad and 53-man roster this season, playing in five games. Ventrone, 5-8, 190 pounds, was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of Villanova on April 29, 2010. He spent the majority of his rookie season in 2010 on the New England practice squad.
Williams, 23, was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round (219th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Texas Christian University. Williams, 5-11, 200 pounds, was released by the Patriots on Aug. 29, 2011 and has had two prior stints on the practice squad this season.
