Massachusetts Pirates linebacker Sal Lupoli Jr. is stepping away from the team for a little bit. But he has a pretty good excuse.
He was invited to rookie minicamp with the New England Patriots.
Lupoli is a Chelmsford native who was a Division II All-American at Bentley as a linebacker. He also had a large presence on special teams, lining up at long snapper and returning 13 kicks during his career.
Lupoli has started four games this season for the Indoor Football League’s Pirates, who play their home games at Lowell’s Tsongas Center.