pinned<\/p>\n
Here are the players released by the Patriots<\/p>\n
The Patriots entered Saturday with 91 players on their roster and need to reach the 53-man threshold. Thus far, the Patriots have released 15 players. With 76 players on the roster, 23 more will need to be cut.<\/p>\n
What does Kiner\u2019s acquisition mean for Patriots\u2019 running backs? \u2014 1:38 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Nicole Yang<\/p>\n
Kiner, who went undrafted out of Cincinnati in 2025, spent time on the 49ers\u2019 and Vikings\u2019 practice squads before signing with the Cardinals in December.<\/p>\n
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The move does not bode well for the in-house candidates (Lan Larison, Hassan Haskins, Jam Miller) competing for the third running back job.<\/p>\n
The Globe\u2019s Christopher Price echoes that sentiment, noting Kiner is probably at or near the head of the line when you\u2019re talking about the race for the RB3 role, one of the more underwhelming roster battles of the summer.<\/p>\n
Get to know Corey Kiner, the recently acquired Patriots\u2019 running back \u2014 1:35 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Christopher Price, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old Kiner is a 5-foot-9-inch, 210-pounder out of Cincinnati. In his second year in the NFL, he had 12 carries for 58 yards last season in Arizona. He had big numbers in college, rushing for 2,882 yards and 16 TDs between a season at LSU and three at Cincinnati. He also had 32 catches in that time.<\/p>\n
The Patriots make a trade \u2014 1:25 p.m.<\/p>\n
by Christopher Price, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
The Patriots get running back Corey Kiner from the Cardinals for a seventh-round pick in 2028, per Kiner\u2019s agents Adie von Gontard and Don Williams.<\/p>\n
Why do some players get released today, while some teams wait to make cuts? \u2014 12:45 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Christopher Price, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
Some readers have reached out asking about the timing of cuts, and why some take place today, while some teams may wait.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s value on multiple levels when it comes to making moves head of the Sunday deadline, including the fact that it will give some players a jumpstart on the flurry of open roster spots that could become available toward the end of the weekend. There\u2019s also the fact that it could open some things up for the Patriots; New England gains some flexibility, and if they see a player who becomes available, it would be easier to add them.<\/p>\n
Regardless, it\u2019s a fallacy to refer to what\u2019s going on this weekend as final cuts. Teams often make a flurry of post-deadline moves. Most years, the Patriots make a handful of moves between cutdown day and Week One, and that doesn\u2019t even include the creation of the practice squad. The bottom line? Players who might be perceived to be at the back end of the depth chart but survive the weekend can\u2019t afford to get too comfortable.<\/p>\n
Offensive tackle Lorenz Metz has been cut \u2014 12:35 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Christopher Price, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
Metz, a 6-foot-9-inch, 320-pounder who played his college football at Cincinnati, could be a practice squad candidate.<\/p>\n
On a difficult day for some, Cory Durden offers encouragement \u2014 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Nicole Yang, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
Patriots defensive tackle Cory Durden sends some words of encouragement to those released today.<\/p>\n
2024 Patriots draft pick Marcellas Dial released \u2014 12:25 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Nicole Yang, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
Also among those released Saturday is cornerback Marcellas Dial, whom the team drafted in the sixth round out of South Carolina in 2024. Of New England\u2019s eight-player draft class that year, quarterback Drake Maye is now the only player remaining.<\/p>\n
The Patriots make a flurry of moves \u2014 12:12 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Nicole Yang, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
The Patriots have released three of their backup offensive lineman: Darrian Dalcourt, JonDarius Morgan, and Jacob Rizy. The team had signed Dalcourt and Morgan following the injuries to Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich in the second preseason game. Rizy, a Westport, Conn. native, joined the team in May as an undrafted rookie out of Harvard.<\/p>\n
The Patriots also waived wide receivers Kyle Dixon, Nick DeGennaro, and Cameron Dorner. The trio of undrafted rookies were longshots to make the roster, given New England\u2019s depth at wide receiver.<\/p>\n
The team also released tight end C.J. Dippre, a positive sign for undrafted rookie Tanner Arkin. Dippre joined the team last season as an undrafted rookie and started the season on the practice squad, before signing to the active roster in November. He played just 20 offensive snaps, all in Weeks 17 and 18, and is a candidate to again return to the practice squad.<\/p>\n
The Patriots also waived edge rushers Amari Gainer and Xavier Holmes.<\/p>\n
Cameron Dorner released \u2014 12:08 p.m.<\/p>\n
Dorner, 22, has been released. The 22-year-old receiver out of North Texas caught three passes for 19 yards in the preseason.<\/p>\n
Riley Wilson has been cut \u2014 12:05 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Christopher Price, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
Linebacker Riley Wilson has been cut by the Patriots, per a league source. The Patriots\u2019 plan is to put him on waivers, then assign him to practice squad.<\/p>\n
Amari Gainer has been released \u2014 12:00 p.m.<\/p>\n
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff<\/p>\n
Amari Gainer took to X, confirming that he has been released by the Patriots. The 26-year-old totaled three tackles and and a sack in the preseason. Gainer played 17 games in 2024 with the Raiders, posting five total tackles.<\/p>\n
12 Patriots players on the bubble \u2014 9:00 a.m.<\/p>\n
By Nicole Yang<\/p>\n
Ahead of Sunday\u2019s roster cutdown deadline, let\u2019s take a look at some Patriots on the bubble . . .\u00a0<\/p>\n
Quarterback Behren Morton<\/b><\/p>\n
Morton took a step back after he received an increase in playing time in the preseason finale, completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 123 yards and no touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions. Even though one was unlucky \u2014 it bounced off the foot of C.J. Dippre into the arms of a Browns defender \u2014 he also had another pick that was called back for a penalty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After the game, Morton said all the right things.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was good for me to see,\u201d he said. \u201cSome adversity for the first time in the NFL.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The question for the Patriots is whether they want to keep Morton on their 53-man roster or attempt to slip him through waivers to the practice squad. Quarterback is obviously a coveted position, so there is the risk that another team will submit a claim. Morton isn\u2019t ready to serve as a backup, but he\u2019s a developmental project that can round out the depth chart. His ability to serve as the emergency punter and kicker doesn\u2019t hurt, either.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Running backs Hassan Haskins, Lan Larison, and Jam Miller<\/b><\/p>\n
Even though Miller shined in the preseason opener, Larison seemed to have the inside track to a roster spot. He took advantage of his uptick in snaps in the second preseason game, with a strong performance that coach Mike Vrabel called \u201ctough\u201d and \u201cgritty.\u201d His shiftiness, quickness, and prowess as a pass-catcher was apparent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Larison hasn\u2019t run away with the third running back job, leaving the door open for Haskins, a veteran with previous experience playing Vrabel.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the preseason finale, Larison played just eight offensive snaps and dropped two passes. He was pulled from the game at the same time as some roster locks (e.g. right tackle Caleb Lomu, wide receiver Kyle Williams, quarterback Tommy DeVito). Perhaps the staff views Larison as part of that group. Or perhaps the staff simply wanted to get a longer look at Haskins.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also possible that the Patriots decide to move forward with only Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, because no back has distinguished himself enough. They would then sign some combination of Haskins, Larison, Miller, and JaMycal Hasty to the practice squad, and take advantage of the game-day elevations before making a more informed decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cornerbacks Charles Woods, Karon Prunty, Kindle Vildor<\/b><\/p>\n
Headed into training camp, cornerback seemed to be one of New England\u2019s deepest positions. But the backups, who were poised to contribute during the regular season, struggled mightily in the preseason finale, getting worked by a group of unheralded, undrafted players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Woods, last year\u2019s top backup on the perimeter, was one of the biggest fallers during camp and played 63 percent of the defense\u2019s snaps on Thursday. That amount of playing time (coupled with his poor performance) in a preseason finale is not a positive sign.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vildor, on the other hand, was one of the biggest risers. He did not play well on Thursday, but had popped in practice. Prunty, drafted in the fifth round, had his moments during practice, too, but undoubtedly needs to better his consistency as a rookie.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
All three players can also contribute on special teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If the Patriots only want to keep two, they will have a tough but potentially immediately impactful decision to make. Christian Gonzalez has not committed to suiting up in Week 1, if he does not have a contract extension. The Patriots would then have to rely on likely either Woods or Vildor as their starter opposite Carlton Davis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Defensive linemen Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, and Leonard Taylor\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
The defensive tackle trio of Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Cory Durden is set. Farmer, Gregory, and Taylor have all built a case to earn a spot in the rotation. Can the Patriots keep all three? It seems on the table. Taylor, the unsung hero of the AFC Championship game, has earned praise from Vrabel for his preseason effort.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Edge rusher Bradyn Swinson\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Veteran Harold Landry hasn\u2019t practiced all summer while on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Vrabel left the door open for Landry to be activated before Sunday, but, if he remains on PUP, then he must miss at least the team\u2019s first four games. If Landry is not activated, there could be an open spot for Swinson to provide depth on the edge. Even though Swinson, a 2025 fifth-round pick, is experienced, he could have a path to meaningful pass-rush snaps because the Patriots are so incredibly thin on the edge.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Linebacker Namdi Obiazor<\/b><\/p>\n
The depth behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss is not particularly impressive, either. With undrafted rookie Khalil Jacobs dealing with an injury and veteran Chad Muma disappointing during the preseason games, there could be a spot for Obiazor \u2014 especially because he can contribute on special teams. Regardless, the Patriots are in need of reinforcements at this position. If Spillane suffers an injury, the run defense could be in trouble.<\/p>\n
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social. Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com<\/a>. Follow her on X @nicolecyang<\/a>. Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com<\/a>. Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com<\/a>. Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n