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          Patriots work out UMass WR Julian Talley; updating injury status

          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterNov 25, 2015, 05:25 PM ET
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots had former UMass wide receiver Julian Talley in for a tryout on Wednesday, along with receivers Alan Bonner (Jacksonville State) and Austin Willis (Emporia State).

          The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Talley entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 2012. He ended up playing in the Arena Football League that spring, before returning to the Giants in 2013 and spending most of the year on the practice squad before a late-season promotion to the 53-man roster.

          Overall, Talley appeared in two games in the 2013 season, and another two games in the 2014 season, his persistence rewarded.

          At UMass, Talley totaled 162 receptions for 2,090 yards and 11 touchdowns (2008-2011).

          With receivers Julian Edelman (foot), Danny Amendola (knee) and Aaron Dobson (ankle) all injured, the Patriots are likely exploring depth options for their practice squad.

          A few injury-related notes from the Patriots on Wednesday:

          • Amendola was present for the start of practice, but was listed as a non-participant.

          • Receiver Matthew Slater's absence from practice was not for injury-related reasons, according to the team.

          • Tight end Michael Williams, who has been a valuable blocking presence for the team, was added to the injury report (knee/limited).