Patriots rebalance roster with release of two players, including rookie
The Patriots spent the days following their preseason opener rebalancing their roster, addressing some of the holes created by injuries that showed through the most in that game. On Friday night they added running back C.J. Marable, then signed offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool on Saturday.
In order to make those signings official, the Patriots needed to open up two roster spots. They did that on Saturday afternoon.
READ MORE:
— 10 takeaways from the Patriots’ preseason opener
— Ups & Downs from the Patriots’ preseason opener
— WATCH: Rookie QB Malik Cunningham puts Texans linebacker on skates
As first reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the team has waived special teamer Jourdan Heilig and linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi. Those moves get the roster back to 90 players.
Heilig’s release comes as a bit of a surprise. A UDFA (undrafted free agent) out of Appalachian State, he played exclusively on special teams in college. Throughout training camp he’d spent significant time working one-on-one with both Matthew Slater and Cam Achord, which in the past had been a strong indication of a player making the team (was the case for both Brenden Schooler and DaMarcus Mitchell last year).
Given that, Heilig was viewed as a favorite to continue the Patriots’ UDFA streak this season. The team has had at least one UDFA on the Week 1 roster for 19 years in a row. Their remaining UDFAs competing to continue the streak are Vanterpool, quarterback/wide receiver Malik Cunningham, wide receiver Thyrick Pitts, tight end Johnny Lumpkin, and defensive lineman Justus Tavai.
Fatukasi first signed with the Patriots back in January on a futures contract after spending his rookie year with the Buccaneers and Broncos. Through camp he’d been working as a reserve linebacker and special teamer.
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Patriots Ups & Downs: Who made the most of their opportunities in the preseason opener
UP: DL Daniel Ekuale
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (95) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Ekuale, competing for a backup defensive tackle role, was one of the first players to pop in this game. He had an early sack, would have had another if not for a penalty called against Anfernee Jennings, and added another run stuff. For now it looks like Ekuale is picking up where he left off last year when he filled in for Christian Barmore.
DOWN: OT Conor McDermott
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Conor McDermott (75) works with a weight bag during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Look, the entire offensive line collectively could get its own down spot. That being said, we’ll focus on individual players who stood out as particularly having bad games.
The first such player is McDermott, who is believed to be competing with Riley Reiff (who did not play in this game) for the starting right tackle job. McDermott got beat multiple times around the edge, and was called for a false start in this game. He started the game at left tackle – a spot he hadn’t played all of camp – before moving to right tackle for some time in the second half.
DOWN: RB Pierre Strong
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. (35) ru8ns after the catch with Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) in tow during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Like the offensive line, the Patriots’ running backs could be a collective ‘down’ on Thursday night. Again though, we’ll focus on specifics.
With the offensive line struggling, the lack of production from the running backs should come with a grain of salt. Still, there were a couple of moments in the passing game where Strong tried to do too much, lost his footing, and ended up limiting himself on the play. That includes a designed third-down swing pass that would have set Strong up with room to run had he not stumbled going into his route and caused Bailey Zappe to hold the ball a beat too long.
DOWN: OL Sidy Sow
New England Patriots tackle Sidy Sow (54) works with the tackling sled during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The next rookie on our list, Sow got run around multiple times as a pass blocker on Thursday night. There’s still a way to go for Sow, who is working on making the change from guard to tackle.
UP: LB Anfernee Jennings
New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) walks onto the field for practice at 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Take away a ticky-tack roughing the passer call, and Jennings played a really solid game while he was in during the first half. He had multiple QB pressures playing as the strong-side edge rusher, a job that could be up for grabs right now.
DOWN: CB Rodney Randle
Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Rodney Randle Jr. (39) works out at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Numerous times, Randle’s coverage assignments were left wide open in the middle of the field. The big, physical corner had trouble keeping up with some of the Texans’ smaller, shiftier wide receivers.
UP: WR Kayshon Boutte
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (58) makes a catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Look, it was a tough night to evaluate wide receiver play. Quarterbacks rarely had enough time to lets receivers finish their route patterns, never mind find them downfield.
That being said, Kayshon Boutte did get himself open somewhat regularly. Often Bailey Zappe was already running away from pressure by the time he did, but it’s still a good individual sign for Boutte.
DOWN: OL Chasen Hines
Aug 11, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Chasen Hines (63) warms up before a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Hines was another Patriots offensive lineman that had a rough night. He got bowled over at times run blocking, which in part led to the Patriots’ issues on the ground.
DOWN: LB Diego Fagot
Diego Fagot takes the field for the New England Patriots before practice during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (98.5 The Sports Hub)
Fagot is already facing an uphill battle for a roster spot, and didn’t help his case on Thursday night when he got called for a neutral zone infraction on a 4th & 1 that turned a would-be Texans punt into a first down. Those kinds of miscues aren’t going to help his standing with Bill Belichick.
Alex Barth is a writer and 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. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
