Patriots waive return specialist Bernard Reedy

With free agency on the horizon, the New England Patriots' front office has become busy. After yesterday's reports that the team opted to exercise the contract option of wide receiver Kenny Britt and move on from defensive tackle Alan Branch, the Patriots made more moves today: New England released tight end Martellus Bennett and defensive end Caleb Kidder and also made a third transaction.

As first reported by ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss and since confirmed by the league's transaction wire, the Patriots have waived wide receiver and return specialist Bernard Reedy:

The Patriots have waived punt returner/wide receiver Bernard Reedy today. Reedy split time between the practice squad and 53-man roster late in the 2017 season and into the playoffs.

After spending his first three-and-a-half years of his career in the NFC South, Reedy joined the Patriots in late November 2017. New England signed him to its practice squad before promoting Reedy to the active roster prior to it's week 13 game against the Buffalo Bills. Reedy spent the next two weeks on New England's 53-man squad and played five snaps for the team – all on special teams – while returning four punts for 32 yards.

The move is hardly a surprising one as Reedy found himself on the bottom of a stacked wide receiver depth chart. Even with kickoff returner Dion Lewis and punt returner Danny Amendola about to enter free agency, the team apparently felt that it was better off without the 26-year old. As a result of his release, New England saves $75,000 in cap space and brings its available money to $23.37 million (per patscap.com's Miguel Benzan).