The final step of training camp/the preseason is here – roster cuts. By 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the Patriots have to trim their roster from 80 players down to the regular season limit of 53.

This is generally the busiest time for roster moves in the NFL. In addition to releasing players, teams may make trades to help get under the 53, as well as place players on season-ending IR and PUP.

Once the roster cut deadline passes, that opens the door for another wave of transactions. Teams can then start building their practice squad from the players waived during cuts. Waived players can also be claimed or signed to the roster outright, setting off a new round of cuts. This is also the point where players placed on IR are eligible to return.

We’ll be tracking all of the Patriots’ moves across these categories here over the next couple of days, as well as big moves around the NFL. Here’s a running list of what’s happening…

Reiss wraps up roster cuts

Mike Reiss wraps up the day with a full list of cuts, including ones yet to be reported. Notables here includes long-time backup center James Ferentz, who appears to have lost his spot to rookie sixth-round pick Chasen Hines. Defensive lineman LaBryan Ray also missed the roster despite a strong summer, likely due to the depth ahead of him on the defensive line.

Two players added to IR

Instead of being released as previously reported, Henry Anderson was placed on season-ending IR. Anderson is in the final year of his contract, so this could be it for him in New England. Kristian Wilkerson was placed on season-ending IR as well with his concussion. He could be back next year to contend for a roster spot.

UDFA streak continues

The Patriots’ UDFA streak extends another year with the news DaMarcus Mitchell has made the team. Mitchell will likely have a special teams role on the Patriots this year. Now the question is, will any other UDFA’s be joining him?

Sam Roberts’ spot is safe

Sam Roberts made some really impressive explosive plays as a defensive tackle in the preseason. The rookie sixth-round pick has reportedly made the initial roster.

Joshuah Bledsoe makes the team

After a day of cuts, we have our first confirmed roster spot. Joshuah Bledsoe, who was a fifth round pick last year but missed the entire season due to a wrist injury, will be on the initial 53-man roster. Bledsoe is a versatile safety who will give the Patriots depth on the back end and also contribute on special teams.

Kody Russey waived

Kody Russey was one of four UDFAs expected to seriously contend for a roster spot along with defensive linemen LaBryan Ray and DaMarcus Mitchell and specialist Brenden Schooler. It looks like the Patriots are instead going with veteran depth on the interior of the offensive line, but Russey is a logical practice squad candidate.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey doesn’t make the cut

It looks like the battle for that final wide receiver spot may have been overplayed, as that spot may not exist. The Patriots are reportedly waiving Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who was seen as the favorite for that spot. Given the tape Humphrey put out this summer, it seems like a team would want him on their 53-man roster, but if not it would make a lot of sense for the team to bring him back.

Tre Nixon waived

Tre Nixon was the star of spring practices for the Patriots, but that momentum didn’t carry over once the pads came on. The 2021 seventh-round pick ended up the victim of a numbers crunch. Still, the team has spoken highly of him and probably wants him back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Position change doesn’t net a roster spot for Bill Murray

At the start of the summer, Bill Murray made the switch to guard after playing on the defensive line for his first two seasons in New England – both of which were spent on the practice squad. The move didn’t end up resulting in a roster spot, but he could end up back on the practice squad.

Patriots release 2021 draft pick after redshirt year

After missing all of last year -his rookie year- recovering from a torn ACL, there was plenty of hype for Cameron McGrone to add much needed athleticism to the Patriots’ linebacker group in 2022. However, the 2021 fifth-round pick just didn’t show the explosiveness in camp he while in college at Michigan. Another year of development could be highly beneficial, we’ll see if it comes on the Patriots’ practice squad.

Raiders waive 2021 first-round pick

Just a year after selecting tackle Alex Leatherwood 17th overall, the Raiders have elected to waive him. Leatherwood, who was a star at Alabama, struggled during his rookie year and saw his reps decrease this summer under a new coach/GM duo in Las Vegas.

If Leatherwood clears waivers, the Raiders will be on the hook for the rest of the money on his deal and he’ll be a free agent. If the Patriots don’t love their tackle depth and/or want a longer-term project player on the offensive line, and think the issues in Leatherwood’s game are fixable (they got an up-close look at him during joint practices with the Raiders last week) signing him to a small-money deal to back up Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown could make sense, especially given the Alabama connection.

Patriots make two depth cuts on defense

The Patriots have reportedly waived defensive lineman Jeremiah Pharms and linebacker Nate Wieland. Both were considered long-shots to make the roster. Pharms did put some plus plays on tape in the preseason finale.

Patriots waive Josh Hammond

The Patriots have reportedly waived Josh Hammond. Hammond, who signed late in camp, was a long-shot to make the roster.

Texans release RB Marlon Mack

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in on another team, but the Texans releasing Marlon Mack is worth a mention. Mack has shown in the past he can contribute as a receiver, and would be a logical fit if the Patriots want to bring in a veteran passing down back. The veteran running back market has gotten relatively saturated with the releases of Mack, Duke Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, and Sony Michel.

Patriots release OL William Sherman

The Patriots have reportedly made another offensive line cut in William Sherman. Sherman was a sixth-round pick in 2021 as a project player with potential four-position versatility along the offensive line. He was competing for depth roles at both guard and tackle. He’s another likely practice squad candidate.

Established special teamer among three new Patriots cuts

Going in order here, Anderson’s cut makes some sense as his playing time dipped later in camp. His release could mean rookies LaBryan Ray and/or Sam Roberts earned a roster spot.

Bethel is a bit of a surprise given he’s been a core special teamer since arriving in New England in 2019. Given he doesn’t have to go through waivers, the Patriots could re-sign him once the 4 p.m. ET deadline passes and they can begin placing players (Tyquan Thornton, potentially Ty Montgomery) on IR. His release also could be related to the emergence of UDFA coverage specialist Brenden Schooler.

As for Taylor, his spot seemed safe after the team released Kevin Harris earlier in the day. By waiving Taylor, the Patriots leave themselves with just four running backs, including Montgomery who is injured and rookie Pierre Strong who hasn’t been on the field much this summer. That could be a sign that Montgomery’s injury isn’t serious, the team plans on adding a back in free agency, or both. Taylor himself is a candidate to return on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Another cut on the offensive line

After getting some first team snaps early in training camp, Arlington Hambright didn’t do enough down the stretch to land a roster spot. His positional versatility between left guard and left tackle make him a logical candidate to return to the practice squad, but with offensive line talent at a premium around the league and some solid tape from this summer, he could very well end up on another team’s 53-man roster.

First rookie waived by Patriots

The Patriots weren’t going to keep every rookie they brought into camp, between 10 draft picks and another group of UDFAs. Harris is the first to go, with the report he’s being waived. He’d run the ball well over the summer, but showed some ball security issues in the preseason finale. If he clears waivers, he’s a candidate to return on the practice squad.

Patriots release first-year offensive lineman

The Patriots first cut on the offensive line is Drew Desjarlais. Desjarlais had spent the previous two seasons in the CFL, where he was an All-Star. He was expected to compete for a depth interior offensive line spot.

Harvey Langi released

In another defensive cut, the Patriots have reportedly released Harvey Langi. Langi was competing for a depth linebacker and special teams role.

Terrance Mitchell released

After a strong start to the summer, cornerback Terrance Mitchell failed to build on that momentum. He ends up off the roster, which could mean the team has bigger roles in mind for rookies Marcus Jones and Jack Jones.

Miami’s secondary takes a hit

Byron Jones has been working his way back from quad and Achilles injuries this summer. On Tuesday, the team placed him on reserve PUP which makes him ineligible for the first four games of the season. That means Miami will be down a starting cornerback when the Patriots visit in Week 1.

Patriots first cut

The first reported cut of the day for the Patriots is tight end Devin Asiasi. According to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, the Patriots tried to trade Asiasi before releasing him.

Drafted 91st overall in 2020, Asiasi never caught on in New England. He played just 10 games over his first two seasons – with just one of those coming last season – catching two passes on seven targets for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Asiasi had had a strong summer for the Patriots, but that momentum was halted when he missed the final preseason game. With needs otherwhere on the roster, the Patriots may elect to keep just two tight ends in Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry. If Lil’Jordan Humphrey makes the roster, his positional flexibility could also have helped make Asiasi expendable.

If he clears waivers, Asiasi would be a logical candidate to return on the practice squad.

Panthers release S Kenny Robinson

Kenny Robinson’s name might sound familiar to Patriots fans, even though he’s never played for the team. Robinson was kicked out of both of the Patriots-Panthers joint practices this summer for fighting, and was the player who delivered the hit that injured Kristian Wilkerson. At the time, head coach Matt Rhule declined to comment on whether or not the incidents would impact Robinson’s standing with the team. The Panthers drafted Robinson in the fifth round in 2020.

Saints trade starting safety to Eagles

After failing to work out an extension with safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, the Saints have traded him to the Eagles. The return is not yet known. This moves adds some context to what Philadelphia had been doing, releasing a pair of starting-caliber safeties in Anthony Harris and Jaquiski Tartt.

A surprise cut in Tampa

The Buccaneers are waiving promising receiver Tyler Johnson in a bit of a surprise move. Over his first two seasons, Johnson caught 48 passes for 529 yards and two scores and perhaps more impressively earned the trust of Tom Brady as a rookie. Given his age and rookie contract, the 2020 fifth-round pick is a candidate to get claimed off waivers before hitting free agency.

Vikings cut recent top-100 QB

In what is likely one of the bigger surprise cuts of the day, the Vikings are waiving Kellen Mond after taking him 66th overall last season. At the time, it was projected he’d take over for Kirk Cousins who was on an expiring deal. The Patriots were heavily linked to Mond leading up to the draft, although most of that was through now former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Another passing-down back on the market

If Ty Montgomery is going to miss significant time, the Patriots could be in the market for a veteran passing down back. Phillip Lindsay, 27, caught 70 passes over his first two NFL seasons, but hasn’t been as productive during the last two.

Bill Belichick press conference

Bill Belichick spoke with the media ahead of roster cuts. Topics included the impending roster moves as well as the state of the team and their approach heading into the opener against Miami.

O.J. Howard cut by Buffalo

The Patriots are currently projected to keep two tight ends, with no third player strongly claiming a roster spot. If they want a third tight end, O.J. Howard is now available and would offer tremendous depth. Howard, a 2017 first-round pick buy the Buccaneers out of Alabama, was a 500-yard receiver in 2019 before tearing his ACL in 2020. He caught 14 passes for 135 yards in Tampa last year in a limited role.

Chiefs release two former Patriots

Two former Patriots were included in the Chiefs’ Tuesday morning roster cuts – wide receiver Josh Gordon and defensive tackle Danny Shelton. At 29, Shelton would be an interesting candidate for a reunion in New England, especially if the Patriots want Davon Godchaux to play a more versatile role this year.

Jimmy Garoppolo gets new deal

After a summer of uncertainly, Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers agreed to a reworked contract that will make him the league’s highest-paid backup, but reduce his cap number to help facilitate a potential trade. Garoppolo had not been a part of the team’s summer workouts to this point.

Miami getting going early

The Patriots’ Week 1 opponent was one of the first teams to begin making significant cuts. On Monday, the Dolphins released a handful of players including former Patriots running back Sony Michel. They also signed former Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers.