FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots are running low on tight ends.

On Thursday night, Mike Vrabel’s team will feature just one tight end on its roster with veteran Hunter Henry. This season, the Patriots have carried two tight ends, but won’t have Austin Hooper against the New York Jets after the veteran was ruled out due to a concussion.

The Patriots’ only other option on Thursday night is fullback Jack Westover, who played tight end in college at Washington. Westover signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent last season. After being released with an injury settlement, he signed with the Patriots practice squad in October and spent the 2024 season there. Westover was elevated to the team’s game-day roster three times as a rookie.

This summer, the Patriots moved Westover from tight end to fullback, and he made the team’s 53-man roster. He’s played in all 10 games as one of the team’s lead blockers. He has one target and is still searching for his first NFL reception.

“I think he’s worked hard. I think he’s taken ownership of that spot and continued to improve,” Vrabel said about Westover last week. “They normally are never – when you get a diagram, it’s like, “OK, go block this guy.” And then when the ball’s snapped, it never really looks like that. So, he’s done a good job of trying to navigate through some traffic, and create some lanes and some space for us.

“I think he’s improved on special teams for us, he’s contributed. So, I think Jack’s gotten more comfortable each and every week since training camp. He’s kind of carved out a little role for himself, and that’s been good to see.”

After ruling Hooper out, the Patriots could have elevated tight end C.J. Dippre from the practice squad. However, with injuries to Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) and Christian Elliss (hip), the team elevated running back D’Ernest Johnson and linebacker Darius Harris.

That move left the Patriots light at the tight end position.

The Patriots’ inactive list for Thursday night is Hooper, Stevenson, Elliss, receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (ankle), quarterback Tommy DeVito (emergency third quarterback), and offensive lineman Caedan Wallace.