Patriots release veteran defensive tackle ahead of roster cuts
The Patriots now have an open roster spot after releasing veteran defensive tackle Mike Purcell on Wednesday.
It’s just under a week until roster cuts across the NFL – teams have to be down to 53 players by Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. ET – but the Patriots got ahead of things on Wednesday. Following Wednesday’s training camp practice, the team announced the release of veteran defensive tackle Mike Purcell.
Purcell, 33, signed with the Patriots a week into camp, giving the team added defensive tackle depth after Christian Barmore’s blood clot diagnosis. After signing Purcell was involved early, but had seen his role shrink in recent practices.
Defensive tackle has been one of the most competitive positions in camp this year for the Patriots. The emergence of players like Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Trysten Hill alongside Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale has the team seemingly in good shape at the position.
It’s possible Purcell could return to the Patriots on the practice squad, but his early release may be the team giving him a head start on finding another job on a 53-man roster. As a vested veteran, he’s eligible to sign immediately and not subject to waivers.
With Purcell’s release the Patriots’ roster now sits at 89 players. That leaves them with one open roster spot as training camp winds down.
