Who Should I Start? Giovanni Ricci or Nick Muse

Monday, February 3, 7:02 PM

The New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end Giovanni Ricci (knee) to a Reserve/Futures deal on Monday. Ricci was on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in 2024 but never was active for a regular-season game and was cut in August due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan made his NFL debut in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers, with all 36 of his career games coming with Carolina. In three NFL seasons, Ricci has caught only nine of 12 targets for 102 yards and no touchdowns with the Panthers. Ricci is more of a blocker than a pass-catcher and will now represent tight end depth for the Patriots throughout the offseason and into training camp this summer. The most likely scenario is that he'll effective serve as a fullback for new Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Monday, February 3, 12:23 PM

The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed tight end Nick Muse to their practice squad over the weekend and released running back Lew Nichols in a corresponding move. Muse was cut from Philly's practice squad last Thursday but is quickly back with the organization as additional tight end depth as the Eagles prepare for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9, against the Kansas City Chiefs. Muse, a 26-year-old former seventh-round selection by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, spent most of the 2024 season with the Vikings. He was active for four regular-season games but was not targeted at all in the passing game. In his first two years in the league with Minnesota, Muse played in 12 games and caught his only target for a gain of 22 yards. Muse will most likely not be active for the Eagles for the Super Bowl.