LS Joe Cardona completes transition to Navy Reserves, will play in 2016

Good news right before the start of camp! Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona has now transitioned to the reserves and will be able to play for the Patriots in 2016, according to Adam Schefter:

Patriots LS Joe Cardona (Navy) was informed his transition to reserves is complete and he will be at start of training camp, per @MikeReiss.

The Patriots drafted Cardona last season with the 166th pick (5th round) of the draft and made him their long snapper in 2015. Cardona was considered one of the best long snapper prospects in decades and came out of the Naval Academy, which is why I unofficially call him Bill Belichick's "adopted" 3rd son.

With Cardona able to play in 2016, he is now a roster lock as the team's primary long snapper. Throughout the offseason, they had Christian Yount just in case things did not go as well. With Cardona 100% able to suit up in 2016, the team has released Yount since his services aren't really needed.

#Patriots release LB C.J. Johnson and long snapper Christian Yount. Looks like Joe Cardona will be available for camp next week.