Patriots reportedly beat out two other teams to claim Kahale Warring off waivers

Related: Patriots claim 2019 third-round pick Kahale Warring off waivers from Texans

Kahale Warring apparently was a popular name when the Houston Texans placed him on the waiver wire earlier this week. While he ended up with the New England Patriots on Tuesday — one of seven total roster moves made by the club that day — they were not the only team to submit a waiver claim.

The Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints also tried to claim the former third-round draft pick, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. The Patriots, however, had priority over the other two organizations.

New England is ranked 15th on the current waiver list after finishing the 2020 season with a 7-9 record. The Colts (11-5) and Saints (12-4), meanwhile, are in 21st and 28th place, respectively. With the waiver wire system still following the draft order until after the third week of the regular season, New England was able to end up with Warring.

Before getting claimed by the Patriots, Warring spent two seasons in Houston. The team had originally selected him in the third round of the 2019 draft, investing the 86th overall pick to get him aboard. Despite his draft status, however, his impact on the Texans was limited: he struggled with injuries in both his rookie and his sophomore seasons, and as a result appeared in only seven games.

Warring, who has caught a mere three passes for 35 yards throughout his career, will try to revive his career in New England. It will not be easy, though. Not only did he arrive comparatively late and promptly miss one practice — he was nowhere to be found on Thursday — the team also has considerable depth ahead of him.

High-priced free agency acquisitions Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry will be the top two at the position, with second-year man Devin Asiasi as the projected TE3. The Patriots also have veteran Matt LaCosse under contract, but he has been out since suffering an injury during joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Warring should see some action in the preseason finale versus the New York Giants on Sunday — possibly splitting reps with Asiasi — but his roster outlook remains uncertain. The Colts and Saints might therefore get another shot at him after all.