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The Patriots didnt have fullback James Develin available for Sundays win over the Jets, so they reached down to their practice squad to bring Jakob Johnson into the lineup.

Johnson played a handful of snaps on special teams and was on the field for kneeldowns at the end of the 30-14 victory, which was a development that would have shocked Patriots head coach Bill Belichick a few months ago. Johnson, who was born in Germany and played at Tennessee, signed with the Patriots through the International Pathway Program and Belichick said Monday that Johnson started out as the 91st player on the roster.

Players in that program get a roster exemption, so Johnson got time to progress and make a positive impression on Belichick. Belichick said Johnsons physicality and toughness showed up in preseason games and the coach said hes continued to make positive strides while on the practice squad.

What hes done has been remarkable and in a relatively short period of time, Belichick said, via WEEI.com. But he works extremely hard. Hes one of the first players here every morning. He studies his notecards. You see him in the dining room just studying notecards, going over his plays. He puts literally every ounce of energy he has into this job and into our team. Hes totally earned everybodys respect for that. Hes a young player. He has a long way to go. There is a lot of room for improvement, but he works very hard at it.

Develins return to health or a shortage of players at another position could cost Johnson his spot on the 53-man roster, but it sounds like Johnsons work ethic should keep him in the mix for a roster spot.

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Bill Belichick: Jakob Johnsons progress has been remarkable - NBCSports.com