The Patriots promoted running back Tyler Gaffney from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday.
Gaffney, 6 feet, 220 pounds, was a sixth-round pick of the Carolina Panthers out of Stanford in 2014 and spent last season on injured reserve with the Patriots.
He was one of the Patriots final cuts this past training camp and was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 17.
The Patriots had a roster opening after tight end A.J. Derby was traded to the Denver Broncos this week for a fifth-round draft pick. The move likely means that running back Dion Lewis, who returned to practice for the first time this season and is on IR after knee surgery, will not be activated for the game Sunday in Buffalo.