The New England Patriots don’t have to trim the roster to 75 players until August 30th, but they’re getting a head start. The team has released two veterans from the roster.
Source: the Patriots have released veteran RB Donald Brown & DE Frank Kearse.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 23, 2016
Donald Brown was signed to a 1-year, $965,000 contract with a whopping $300,000 guaranteed as a possible replacement for LeGarrette Blount in the backfield, but injuries prevented him from having an impact in the preseason. While Brown was unable to compete, Tyler Gaffney emerged as a potential option in the backfield and the front office has decided to roll with the younger option.
According to the Herald’s Jeff Howe, Brown received an injury settlement.
The Patriots have released RB Donald Brown, per source. Brown got an injury settlement.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 23, 2016
With running back Dion Lewis sidelined for the next 8-10 weeks, it’s looking like Blount, James White, Brandon Bolden, and Gaffney are the favorites to make the roster.
Frank Kearse didn’t really have an impact on the defensive line as fellow veteran Markus Kuhn stole headlines and first team reps. Kearse signed a 1-year, $840,000 contract with $30,000 guaranteed, but was deep in the depth chart behind Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Terrance Knighton, Kuhn, and 3rd round rookie Vincent Valentine. That’s a hard depth chart to crack and the Patriots decided to move on.
Best of luck to Brown and Kearse as they try to land with another team this year.
The Patriots are down to 83 players on the roster.