Patriots cut roster down to 53 players
The Patriots roster needs to be down to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Saturday. They’ve already made a few decisions ahead of the deadline, which you can read about below. Follow along all day with 985TheSportsHub.com for live updates and instant analysis.
Live Updates: Patriots Roster Cutdowns
— Rookie linebacker Cassh Maluia is expected to sign with the Patriots’ practice squad, according to Jeff Howe.
Cassh Maluia is expected to sign with the Patriots practice squad, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 6, 2020
–The Patriots initial 53-man roster is now set.
Here's the Patriots initial 53-man roster. Expect a number of changes in the next 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/TiIOwYR0S3
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots final three cuts were Isaiah Zuber, Xavier Williams, and Tashawn Bower. With Zuber’s release, the Patriots 16-year streak of a UDFA making the team out of camp comes to an end.
The Patriots released WR Isaiah Zuber, DT Xavier Williams and DL Tashawn Bower.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 5, 2020
–Second-year receiver Jakobi Meyers has made the team, per Evan Lazar. The second-year receiver had been dealing with an injury in recent weeks. Meyers caught 26 passes for 359 yards last year.
#Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers made the team. He's on the initial roster.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have waived UDFA running back J.J. Taylor, per Field Yates. Taylor had seen a rise in stock in recent days due to injuries at the running back position. If unclaimed, he will likely land back on the Patriots practice squad.
The Patriots have waived RB J.J. Taylor, an undrafted free agent out of Arizona who showed well during training camp, per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 5, 2020
Would be a logical practice squad addition if he clears waivers.
— New England is starting over at kicker. According to Jeff Howe, in addition to Justin Rohrwasser, they are releasing kicker Nick Folk.
The Patriots released Nick Folk, according to a source. So they're starting over at kicker.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 5, 2020
— According to Evan Lazar, the Patriots are releasing undrafted rookie tight end Rashod Berry.
— Rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser has been cut, according to Mark Daniels. The Patriots want him back for the practice squad, while veteran Nick Folk has won the kicking competition to start the season.
Patriots are releasing Justin Rohrwasser, per source. Sounds like the Patriots want Rohrwasser on the practice squad.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 5, 2020
Nick Folk has won the Patriots kicking competition.
— The Patriots waived undrafted rookie tight end Jake Burt, according to Karen Guregian. Burt is a native of Lynnfield, Mass. who played at Boston College.
BC's Jake Burt released by the Patriots, per source.
— Karen Guregian (@kguregian) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots are releasing rookie linebacker Cassh Maluia, per Jeff Howe. The sixth-round pick had been productive in camp, his release comes as a relative surprise.
The Patriots released LB Cassh Maluia, according to a source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 5, 2020
–From the “you don’t see that often” department – The Raiders have traded Lynn Bowden Jr and a sixth-round pick to Miami for a fourth-round pick, per Ian Rapoport. The Raiders drafted Bowden in the third round this past April, meaning they’re moving on from him before what would be his first NFL season.
Sources: The #Raiders are trading RB/returner Lynn Bowden Jr and a 6th rounder to the #Dolphins in exchange for a 4th round pick, the same pick Miami just got from Vegas. The versatile Bowden was a third-rounder this year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have released CB D’Angelo Ross, according to Jeff Howe. Ross put together a strong showing in camp last year before an injury cost him his 2019 season. Another strong summer this year could earn him a job elsewhere – if not, he’ll likely end up back in New England on the practice squad.
The Patriots released D'Angelo Ross, according to a source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have waived UDFA linebacker De’Jon ‘Scoota’ Harris, per Doug Kyed. The Arkansas product is a practice squad candidate.
The Patriots waived LB Scoota Harris, per source.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have waived UDFA Myles Bryant, per Doug Kyed. It would make sense for the Patriots to try and get Bryant back on the practice squad, he was one of the most talented players in this year’s UDFA class.
The Patriots waived UDFA DB Myles Bryant, per source.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 5, 2020
The Patriots want him on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
–The Seattle Seahawks released WR Paul Richardson, who they signed last week, per Tom Pelissero. He spent most of 2019 inured but caught 44 passes for 703 yards and six touchdowns two years ago. If the Patriots are looking to add to their wide receiver depth, he will likely be one of the best options available in free agency.
The #Seahawks are releasing WR Paul Richardson, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 5, 2020
–Despite being cut, Lamar Miller’s time with the Patriots may not be up. Evan Lazar is reporting the team is interested in bringing him back once his knee is fully healthy. Miller tore his ACL last preseason, an injury which cost him all of 2019 and kept him on PUP for most of camp this year.
Wouldn’t close the book on Lamar Miller with the #Patriots just yet. He won’t be on their initial roster, as reported, but he’s also not 100% yet. I’m told he could be back later if/when his knee is a full go.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have waived TE/FB Paul Quessenberry, per Doug Kyed. Quessenberry joined the Patriots part-way through camp after spending the last four years as a Naval officer. He played defensive end at Navy from 2011-2014.
The Patriots waived FB Paul Quessenberry, per source.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have released defensive tackle Nick Thurman, per Karen Guregian. Thurman spent last year on the Patriots practice squad.
Per source, DL Nick Thurman was released by the Patriots. Practice squad candidate if clears waivers.
— Karen Guregian (@kguregian) September 5, 2020
–Former Patriots quarterback Danny Etling was released by the Seattle Seahawks, per Adam Schefter.
Seahawks released QB Danny Etling, who could return to their practice squad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have waived WR Devin Ross, per Jeff Howe. Some though a strong camp had put Ross in position to make the roster. Ross spent last year on the Patriots practice squad.
The Patriots waived Devin Ross, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have released UDFA defensive lineman Bill Murray, per Evan Lazar. The William & Mary product was a long shot for the final roster.
The #Patriots released UDFA DT Bill Murray, per source.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have released LB Terez Hall, per Yahoo’s Terez Paylor. Hall spent last season on the Patriots’ practice squad.
The Patriots have released LB Terez Hall, a source tells @YahooSports.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) September 5, 2020
I've always enjoyed the downhill style of my former #Mizzou namesake — here's to hoping he latches on with a team quickly.
–The Patriots have released running back Lamar Miller, per Adam Schefter. Miller was signed in mid-August. He spent most of camp on PUP before being activated last week.
Another surprise cut: Patriots released RB Lamar Miller, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2020
–As most focus today lies with the 2020 Patriots, a quick look ahead to 2021 as the Texans sign Deshaun Watson to a four-year extension, per the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain. Watson was scheduled to be the top free agent on the market next year, when the Patriots will have an abundance of cap space.
Texans have agreed on a 4-year extension with Deshaun Watson averaging $39 million a year with a $27 million signing bonus. Details to come on on https://t.co/mIDjcbdCLC
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have released UDFA WR Andre Baccellia, per Jeff Howe. The former Washington Husky was signed last week.
The Patriots released Andre Baccellia, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have released second-year offensive lineman Tyler Gauthier, per Jeff Howe. Gauthier spent some time on the Patriots practice squad in 2019.
The Patriots released Tyler Gauthier, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 5, 2020
–Seven down, 20 to go.
After some quick cuts this morning, the Patriots are now down to 73 players. 20 more cuts to go before the 4pm deadline
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have released TE Paul Butler, per Doug Kyed. The former Raider was signed at the start of camp, and not expected to make the team.
The Patriots are releasing TE Paul Butler, per source.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 5, 2020
–The Patriots have released UDFA quarterback Brian Lewerke, per Tom Pelissero.
More cuts, per sources:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 5, 2020
The #Patriots are waiving rookie QB Brian Lewerke
The #Browns are waiving rookie QB Kevin Davidson
–The Patriots have released guard Ben Braden, per Doug Kyed. The Patriots signed Braden earlier this month.
The Patriots plan to release OL Ben Braden, per source.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 5, 2020
— The Patriots have released undrafted rookie wide receiver Jeff Thomas, per Adam Schefter.
Patriots have released rookie WR Jeff Thomas. https://t.co/iWFlDT64ov
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2020
Other Roster News
On Thursday, the Patriots officially announced the release of three players: defensive lineman Michael Barnett, cornerback Michael Jackson, and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. In the case of Sanu, Bill Belichick described Sanu’s tenure in New England as “just one of those things that just didn’t work out.”
The Pats originally acquired Jackson from the Lions for a conditional 2022 seventh-round pick. According to Jeff Howe, since the trade terms were based on playing time, Jackson’s release should mean the pick is voided from the deal.
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