Welcome to cutdown day.
By 4 p.m. Tuesday, every NFL team must trim its roster down to 53 players. Last week, the Patriots got a head start.
On Friday, they released 14 players — mostly roster long shots — and then waived young offensive guard Layden Robinson on Sunday with an injury designation. Entering Tuesday, the Pats have 23 spots left to clear either via release, trade or placement on injured reserve.
Candidates for IR include wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Efton Chism III and linebacker Jahlani Tavai. For a second straight year, teams can place up to two players on injured reserve during cutdown day with a designation to return midseason. Others placed on injured reserve before 4 p.m. will be out for the year.
Of note: any player with four-plus years of league service who receives his release can sign with a new team at any time. Players with fewer than four years of service are subject to waivers, where all NFL teams, starting with the Titans, Browns, Giants and Patriots, in order, can enter claims and add them Wednesday.
Follow the Herald’s live tracker for every Patriots release, waiver claim and rumor Tuesday.
Tuesday
3:30 p.m. According to a source, undrafted rookie tight end Gee Scott Jr. has been waived. The Patriots now have three tight ends on their roster: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and Jack Westover.
1:30 p.m. The Patriots have informed defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie they plan to release him, per the Boston Globe. Ritzie was a third-stringer throughout training camp after signing as an undrafted rookie out of North Carolina in May.
1:10 p.m. Third-year outside linebacker Truman Jones has been informed by the team he will be waived, according to ESPN. Jones made a push for a back-end roster spot this summer after spending last year on the practice squad. He will be subject to waivers and could return to the practice squad if he clears.
The Patriots’ remaining edge defenders are Harold Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson, Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson.
12:15 p.m. The Patriots are releasing veteran running back JaMycal Hasty, a source told the Herald.
Hasty has been practicing as the team’s No. 4 running back, indicating the team will keep Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson on their 53-man roster. Hasty is a strong candidate to return on the practice squad.
11:45 a.m. Undrafted rookie linebacker Cam Riley is being waived, according to a source. The Patriots signed the Florida State product last May. Riley was always considered a roster long shot, and could be a candidate to return to the practice squad.
11:15 a.m.: The Patriots are waiving guard Mekhi Butler, per source. That leaves them with Mike Onwenu, Jared Wilson, Ben Brown, Cole Strange and Caedan Wallace at guard.
11:08 a.m.: The Patriots are waiving center Alec Lindstrom, per source. Lindstrom signed during training camp to provide additional offensive line depth.
The Patriots still have Garrett Bradbury, Jared Wilson, Ben Brown and Cole Strange as potential center options.
11 a.m.: The Patriots are waiving defensive tackle David Olajiga, an international player pathway program player, per source. The plan is to re-sign him to the practice squad. Since he’s an IPP player, the Patriots will be granted an additional spot on their practice squad.
Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jeremiah Pharms and Jahvaree Ritzie are left at defensive tackle.
10:55 a.m.: The Patriots are granting safety Marcus Epps’ request to be released, per source. Epps felt it wasn’t a fit between him and the Patriots.
The Patriots are also waiving rookie tight end CJ Dippre, a source confirmed.
Epps’ release leaves the Patriots with Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler at safety.
The Patriots are left with Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover and Gee Scott Jr. at tight end.
10:05 a.m.: The Patriots are waiving wide receiver John Jiles, per source. The tall wide receiver was a favorite of the coaching staff dating back to the spring, but he’s in a crowded group of pass catchers.
The move leave the Patriots with Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker and Jeremiah Webb at wide receiver. Ja’Lynn Polk is expected to land on injured reserve.
9:30 a.m.: The Patriots have waived cornerback Brandon Crossley, a source confirmed. Crossley made some plays in camp but ultimately was buried on the depth chart.
The Patriots are left with Alex Austin, Carlton Davis, Christian Gonzalez, DJ James, Marcus Jones and Kobee Minor at cornerback.
9:10 a.m.: The Patriots have waived three players, per sources: offensive tackle Demontrey Jacobs, kicker Parker Romo and cornerback Miles Battle.
Romo’s release means that rookie Andres Borregales has won the Patriots’ kicker battle. It was a close competition between Romo and Borregales, and the sixth-round pick got the edge despite being a bit shakier in training camp and the preseason.
Jacobs’ release leaves the Patriots with Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Vederian Lowe and Jack Conley at tackle.
Monday
8:30 p.m. The Patriots held a shorts-and-shells practice Monday afternoon.
Players absent or not participating included cornerback Christian Gonzalez, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, offensive lineman Cole Strange, safety Marcus Epps, outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, linebacker Jahlani Tavai, outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson, inside linebacker Jack Gibbens, running back Terrell Jennings, cornerback Kobee Minor, defensive lineman David Olajiga and wide receivers Efton Chism III and Ja’Lynn Polk.
Polk will miss the season with a shoulder injury, while Gonzalez, Gibbens and likely Chism III are considered roster locks.
The Patriots have made Anfernee Jennings available, per sources, as well as veteran safety Kyle Dugger.
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