Tuesday marks the final roster cutdown day for the 2021 New England Patriots, along with the 31 other teams across the National Football League. Get the latest news and rumors throughout the day right here at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Click here to read more about the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster. Keep scrolling for more details on all our live updates from Tuesday.
Live Updates
Brian Hoyer Cut, But Likely Back In Coming Days
5:41 p.m.: As first reported by Albert Breer, the NFL transaction wire is out and among the Patriots’ moves is the release of quarterback Brian Hoyer. However, according to both Ian Rapoport and Mike Reiss, it’s likely that Hoyer is back in the coming days.
This is merely procedural, as the Patriots can now name players to the 53-man roster that they intend to move to short-term injured reserve. Receiver N’Keal Harry is one such candidate.
Linebacker Placed On Season-Ending IR
5:41 p.m.: According to Mike Reiss, the Patriots placed linebacker Anfernee Jennings on injured reserve instead of naming him to the 53-man roster. This ends his season.
Carl Davis Indicates He Made The Team
5:11 p.m.: Patriots defensive tackle Carl Davis tweeted a smiley face, followed by a message of adulation for the Patriots and his excitement to wear the uniform. That all but confirms that he made the team and survived final roster cuts. Davis beat out free-agent signing Montravius Adams, among others.
😁
— Carl Davis Jr. (@Trenchwork94) August 31, 2021More than ever I take so much pride in wearing this Pats uniform. It mean so much to me. Been through so much adversity. I don’t take nothing for granted. I’m thankful to god for the opportunities daily.
— Carl Davis Jr. (@Trenchwork94) August 31, 2021Practice Attendance Indicates Possible Roster Moves
3:13 p.m.: The Patriots practiced on Tuesday, and the attendance could be an indicator of who made the team and who did not.
Among the players likely to be on the 53-man roster, based on their presence at practice: RB Brandon Bolden, OT Yodny Cajuste, LB Brandon King, WR Gunner Olszewski, and CB Joejuan Williams.
Notable absences, meanwhile: QB Brian Hoyer, S Cody Davis, CB Michael Jackson, LB Anfernee Jennings, OL James Ferentz, OT Korey Cunningham, DL Nick Thurman, DL Tashawn Bower, K Nick Folk, and OL Yasir Durant.
It’s possible Durant still isn’t ready to report to the team, since they just acquired him in a trade. Jennings could be a candidate to be named to the roster before going on short-term IR, along with WR N’Keal Harry.
Mac Jones was the only quarterback present at practice.
With Brian Hoyer not present at practice, Mac Jones is both the Patriots’ QB1 and their 1 QB pic.twitter.com/fqkGrkSnUr
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) August 31, 2021Patriots Go With Rookie Kicker Over Veteran
1:39 p.m.: ESPN’s Field Yates reports that the Patriots are going with undrafted rookie kicker Quinn Nordin over veteran Nick Folk. The latter had to miss time in the summer due to injury.
This move strikes as a surprise, considering Nordin’s erratic kicking in the preseason. But his power is legit, and he showed his potential when he went 10-for-10 and hit two field goals over 50 yards during an in-stadium practice during camp.
Rookie Linebacker To Start Season On The Shelf
1:27 p.m.: According to Doug Kyed, “it sounds like” Patriots rookie linebacker Cameron McGrone will start the season on the reserve/non-football injury list, where he’s been throughout the summer. The same rules as the PUP list apply, meaning McGrone will have to miss at least six weeks.
McGrone tore his ACL in November, so this isn’t a big surprise. The key difference between PUP and NFI is that players on the non-football injury list don’t have to be paid. McGrone won’t count against the 53-man roster.
Patriots Release DT Akeem Spence
12:02 p.m.: According to Doug Kyed, the Patriots are releasing defensive tackle Akeem Spence.
The Patriots also released Montravius Adams earlier on Tuesday and Bill Murray on Monday, leaving them with Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Carl Davis, and rookie Christian Barmore at defensive tackle. This news bodes well for Davis’ chances of sticking on the 53-man roster. The other three are virtual locks.
Cam Newton breaks his silence
11:39 a.m.: Now-former Patriots quarterback Cam Newton posted a new Instagram story in reaction to the news that the team released him: “I really appreciate all the love and support during this time but I must say … please don’t feel sorry for me!!“
https://twitter.com/mattdolloff/status/1432729713299050501
Stephon Gilmore To Miss at least first six games
10:59 a.m.: According to Adam Schefter, the Patriots are keeping All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore on the Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list to start the 2021 regular season. This means that Gilmore will miss at least the first six weeks of the season.
Once the six weeks have passed, Gilmore will be eligible to return to practice. Once he does return, the Patriots will have 21 days to activate him. Gilmore will not count against the 53-man roster while on PUP.
Patriots Release Cam Newton, Name Mac Jones Starting Quarterback
10:04 a.m.: As reported by Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, the Patriots have released quarterback Cam Newton and named rookie Mac Jones the starter. A stunning move early on roster cutdown day.
Patriots Release Another Receiver
9:39 a.m.: According to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, the Patriots are releasing wide receiver Isaiah Zuber. The second-year pro had a touchdown catch in the preseason finale.
This is good news for N’Keal Harry, who got a vote of confidence from Bill Belichick on Tuesday morning, and Gunner Olszewski, who struggled in the final week of camp and the preseason.
Patriots Release Cornerback Myles Bryant
9:35 a.m.: As reported by Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus, the Patriots are releasing cornerback Myles Bryant. Kyed termed this move as a “surprise.”
This is a move that bodes well for 2019 second-round pick Joejuan Williams, who seemed to be on the roster bubble. Williams had a solid preseason and his job looks a little safer.
Patriots Cut Offensive Lineman
9:31 a.m.: According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots are cutting offensive lineman Alex Redmond.
Patriots Release Reserve Cornerback, Tight End
9:16 a.m.: According to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal, the Patriots have made two more cuts, one at cornerback and another at tight end. They’ve released CB D’Angelo Ross, as well as TE Matt LaCosse.
The Patriots appear poised to enter the season with Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, and Devin Asiasi as their tight end group.
Early Training camp standout among two players released
9:03 a.m.: The Patriots made two more cuts to begin the 9 a.m. hour, including the first somewhat striking name. According to Evan Lazar of CLNS Media, the Patriots have released wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson. Wilkerson had a standout start to training camp, before fading in recent weeks. There’s a good chance Wilkerson gets claimed on waivers.
The team also released cornerback Dee Virgin, as first reported by Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal. A five-year veteran and special teams specialist, Virgin had been with the Patriots since Week 17 of last season.
Patriots Waive Rookie Lineman
8:32 a.m.: As reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots have waived rookie offensive lineman Will Sherman. The Pats have plenty of O-line depth, especially after trading for Chiefs OL Yasir Durant. Sherman could be a practice squad candidate if and when he clears waivers.
Patriots Acquire Offensive Lineman From Chiefs
Monday, 11:17 p.m.: The Patriots reportedly acquired offensive lineman Yasir Durant from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2022 seventh-round pick. The 6-foot-7 Durant played tackle at Missouri before arriving to the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Click here for more about the move.
Patriots Release Three Players To Kick Off Final Cutdowns
Monday, 3:55 p.m.: The Pats got to work on their final roster cutdowns early, reportedly releasing three players on Monday. They reportedly cut safety Adrian Colbert, and waived wide receiver Tre Nixon and defensive lineman Bill Murray. Click here to read more about Nixon, whom the Patriots drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Both Nixon and Murray seem like candidates to slide onto the Patriots’ practice squad, should they clear waivers.
MORE: Patriots Roster Projection 3.0
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