Patriots Announce Final Roster Cuts; 10 Veteran Players Released
FOXBORO (CBS) – The Patriots and other NFL teams spent Saturday slicing their roster to 53 players before the regular season gets underway.
One of the more notable releases was rookie cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc. LeBlanc had a strong preseason but did not play in the team's finale against the Giants due to injury.
LeBlanc could reportedly be a candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Veteran wide receiver Aaron Dobson was also let go. He played three seasons with the Patriots, making 53 catches and scoring four touchdowns. Other notable pass-catchers who didn't make the team include Keshawn Martin, DeAndre Carter and Chris Harper.
Running back Tyler Gaffney, who spent all of 2015 on injured reserve, was also cut.
Here's the full list of cuts, from the Patriots:
Ten veteran players: OL Chris Barker, WR Aaron Dobson, RB Tyler Gaffney, DL Geneo Grissom, LB Rufus Johnson, DL Markus Kuhn, WR Keshawn Martin, DB Darryl Roberts, DB Vinnie Sunseri and DL Joe Vellano.
Five first-year players: WR DeAndre Carter, OL Jon Halapio, WR Chris Harper, RB Joey Iosefa and LB Kevin Snyder.
Five rookies, including two 2016 draft picks: DL Woodrow Hamilton, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, CB Cre'von LeBlanc, WR Devin Lucien and TE Bryce Williams.
The Patriots play their season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 11.