Report: Patriots release defensive end Keionta Davis
The Patriots are reportedly releasing defensive end Keionta Davis after he spent three seasons with the team as a former undrafted free agent.
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Keionta Davis #58 of the New England Patriots looks on during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesBy Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots are releasing defensive end Keionta Davis after three seasons.
Davis originally signed with the Patriots after the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee-Chattanooga, but spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve. In 2018 he made the 53-man roster and played in six games, including three starts for the Super Bowl LIII champions. Davis made two QB hits and three tackles for loss in the 2018 regular season.
The Patriots placed Davis on IR again in 2019. Injuries have haunted Davis in his efforts to hold a spot on the Patriots' roster, going back to 2017 when a bulging disc in his neck left him undrafted in the first place.
Davis is the latest casualty of the Patriots' roster turnover in the front-seven. Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Elandon Roberts, and Danny Shelton are gone, while free-agent additions Beau Allen and Brandon Copeland are in. Bill Belichick also aggressively targeted the front-seven in the draft over the weekend, spending a second-round pick on Michigan linebacker Josh Uche and a third-rounder on Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings.
As a hard worker and true professional, Davis should get a chance to make another team if fully healthy. Injuries are unfortunately a major concern for him at this point.
Click here for all things Patriots at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
