The New England Patriots have cut rookie RB D.J. Foster and claimed former Broncos DT Darius Kilgo off waivers according to the NFL transaction wire.
Foster signed with the Patriots as an undrafted rookie out of Arizona State and was essentially playing through a redshirt season. Foster has been active for just three weeks this season, registered 7 carries for 24 yards and 1 reception for 2 yards.
The return of veteran RB Dion Lewis from the physically unable to perform list made Foster expendable. Look for the Patriots to try and stash Foster on the practice squad if the running back is able to clear waivers.
Kilgo is a 6’3, 320 pound defensive tackle out of Maryland’s 3-4 defensive front, where he was teammates with former Patriots defensive tackles Joe Vellano and A.J. Francis. Kilgo is able to play both inside and outside in any defensive tackle role and can handle two-gap responsibilities. Kilgo only adds value in the run game and should only eat space in the middle of the field.
The Broncos selected Kilgo in the 6th round of the 2015 Draft and he has been active for 18 games, averaging only 8 snaps per game. Kilgo was released after the Broncos long snapper suffered a short-term injury.
The addition of Kilgo could be an indicator that the team believes veteran DT Alan Branch could lose his appeal and serve a 4-game suspension in the coming weeks. The Patriots would rely on Malcom Brown, Vincent Valentine, and Woodrow Hamilton, but it’s always good to add depth just in case.