The New England Patriots were awarded rookie defensive tackle Chris Jones on waivers today from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

To make room for Jones, the team waived rookie offensive guard Josh Kline.

Jones, of Bowling Green, entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick of the Houston Texans this year. The Patriots initially claimed him when the Texans released him Aug. 31, but the Buccaneers also claimed him and had priority in the waiver order. Jones was inactive in the Buccaneers' season-opening loss to the Jets.

This time they got the 6-foot-1, 302-pound Jones, which builds depth at a defensive tackle position headlined by starters Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly. Undrafted rookie Joe Vellano is the third man on the depth chart, which was thinned by Armond Armstead's unexpected surgery to treat an infection before training camp.

The Patriots also have defensive tackles Marcus Forston and A.J. Francis on the practice squad.

As for Kline, if he clears waivers he would be a top candidate to return to the practice squad.