Patriots sign guard Mitch Petrus, add Jeff Tarpanian to practice squad

The New England Patriots added offensive lineman Mitch Petrus to their roster Tuesday after an injury to Logan Mankins, who left the stadium on Sunday in a walking boot.

Petrus, an offensive guard drafted in the fifth round out of Arkansas in 2010, has played 23 games for the New York Giants over the past three seasons, starting three last year while David Baas was injured. He had played 14 snaps in six games this year. The 25 year old had been cut twice by the Giants this season, once to add fellow lineman D.J. Jones, who did not pass his physical, and again Nov. 3 when the team reactivated tight end Travis Beckum.

The Pats didn't have to release any players, as they were granted a roster exemption while cornerback Aqib Talib gets used to his new team. The team traded for Talib on Nov. 11, but he was suspended through this past week. Now available to practice, the team is allowed to have a 54th player through Nov. 19, at which point they will have to go back to 53, or if they choose to play Talib against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

The Pats also signed linebacker Jeff Tarpanian to their practice squad. He passed waivers after being released on Monday. They cut linebacker Jerrell Harris to make room.