New England Patriots linebacker Elandon Roberts became a rare defensive player to score, when the fourth-year veteran caught a 35-yard touchdown reception via future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. The 25-year-old Roberts scored in the third quarter of New England's Week 17 NFL regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins, which tied the game at 17.

Roberts' touchdown grab was the longest reception by a linebacker in league history since the 1970 merger, according to NFL Research on Twitter:

Additionally, the 6-foot Elandon Roberts is the first Patriots linebacker to score on a reception from Tom Brady since Mike Vrabel in 2007. Vrabel is now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, who are fighting to earn the second AFC Wild Card spot on the last day of the regular season.

Roberts was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 draft by the Patriots out of the University of Houston. He recorded 27 combined tackles, one sack, and one tackle for a loss in the 2019 season entering Sunday's bout with the Dolphins — all considered career lows for the veteran linebacker.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, they wound up suffering a stunning 27-24 loss to lowly Miami. Because of this defeat and the Kansas City Chiefs' victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, New England dropped to the No. 3 seed in the AFC.

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