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Pats get linebacker Kyle Van Noy from Lions, deal tight end AJ Derby to Broncos

NFL, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos

The New England Patriots added linebacker depth on Tuesday by acquiring Kyle Van Noy from the Detroit Lions and cut their glut at tight end in a separate deal the day before the NFL's trade deadline.

The Patriots traded tight end AJ Derby to the Denver Broncos for what sources said was a 2017 fifth-round draft pick.

Derby, a 2015 sixth-round pick out of Arkansas, impressed many in the preseason as New England's No. 3 tight end. He played 35 offensive snaps in four games after spending his rookie season on injured reserve.

In the deal with Detroit, New England will exchange its sixth-round pick of the 2017 draft for the Lions' seventh-round slot, a source said.

The Patriots also signed former Miami Dolphins defensive back Shamiel Gary to the practice squad.

Although deep at the tight end position, New England has been hobbled at linebacker, with Jamie Collins (hip) and Dont'a Hightower (knee) missing three combined games this season.

Van Noy is a former second-round pick of the Lions in 2014 who has seven career starts -- all this season -- with 39 career tackles and one sack.

To fill the roster spot left by Van Noy, the Lions will re-sign linebacker Josh Bynes, who had been cut by the team with an injury settlement earlier this season. 

The Patriots (6-1) travel to play the Buffalo Bills (4-3) on Sunday. The Lions (4-3) visit the Houston Texans (4-3).

Information from ESPN's James Walker, Field Yates, Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss was used in this report.

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