Patriots raise Donte Moncrief and Akeem Spence from practice squad for week 12

The New England Patriots lifted wide receiver Donte Moncrief and defensive tackle Akeem Spence to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s meeting with the Arizona Cardinals.

The two standard elevations are intended to return to the practice team without canceling waivers.

This is the second call-in for Moncrief, who caught a 15-yard pass and played a dozen special-team shots on his debut for the Patriots last week. The 27-year-old signed with the scout team on November 4. Moncrief entered the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2014 draft, and the 6-foot-2, 216-pound product Ole Miss has played in 78 games since then.

For Spence, who joined the New England practice squad on Nov. 21, Sunday will mark his 29th birthday and 104th career appearance. The 6-foot-1, 303-pound defensive lineman from Illinois had 195 tackles, 10.5 sacks, one forced fumble and four digs. Spence arrived in the league with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2013 draft.

As reported earlier Saturday by ESPN Yates Field and Athlete’s Jeff Howe, New England put running back Rex Burkhead, left tackle Isaiah Wynn and defensive tackle Carl Davis on the injured reserve. In a further IR move, the organization activated rookie offensive lineman Justin Herron as nominee for the return and sent undrafted tight end Jake Burt to the practice squad’s injured list.

Kick-off between New England and Arizona is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.