The NFL’s cutdown deadline came and went, and the New England Patriots have not yet officially announced the roster moves they have made in order to get below the 53 men threshold. However, the first names of bubble players to stay on the team and survive cuts have already emerged: three of the depth defensive backs have made the team, as did a pair of linemen.
According to NESN’s Doug Kyed, defensive edge Keionta Davis has made the team...
Patriots DE Keionta Davis made the initial 53-man roster, per source. Missed last year with a neck injury.
...as did offensive lineman Ted Karras (per the Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels):
Patriots OL Ted Karras made the initial 53-man roster, as well. Karras had some competition on the interior offensive line this summer, but he had a dominant training camp and preseason.
Davis and Karas were two of the pleasant surprises this summer. Both were fighting for their roster lives but rose to the occasion: Davis saw plenty of time with the starting defense and responded well by registering 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits during the preseason. He will now serve as a rotational piece of the Patriots’ defensive edge rotation, and likely see the field on passing down as a sub rusher.
Ted Karras, meanwhile, returns for a third year as New England’s primary backup along the interior offensive line. The former sixth-round draft pick has started games in both of his previous seasons with the team, and is a valuable and experienced backup option at center and guard.