The former St. Louis Ram pulled in five passes for 109 yards last season, and he's amassed 338 yards and three touchdowns in his career.
Rob Gronkowski, the team's No. 1 tight end, is set to have yet another surgery on his broken forearm, though that surgery has been delayed until doctors can be sure that an infection that has been lingering at the site is completely eradicated.
Health issues among the team's other key tight ends, Aaron Hernandez and Jake Ballard, are also well-documented. New England's other tight ends currently on the roster are Brad Herman and Daniel Fells.
Hoomanawanui has shown his strength to be mainly as a run blocker in the NFL. In his three years in college, the former Illinois product tallied nearly 500 yards receiving and spent some time on special teams, as well.
