Patriots release recently acquired wide receiver Amara Darboh again

When the dust that was the NFL’s cutdown day had settled, the New England Patriots were left with only three pure wide receiver under contract. As a result, the team put two waiver claims on recently released players at the position – and were able to get them both onto their 53-man roster: former New York Jets wideout Chad Hansen was claimed, as was former Seattle Seahawks receiver Amara Darboh.

Both were projected to serve as depth pieces alongside Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson at least until Julian Edelman returned from his four-game suspension. However, it looks as if only Hansen will do that: according to ESPN’s Field Yates, New England has decided to part ways with Darboh again.

Source: the Patriots have waived WR Amara Darboh, claimed off of waivers on Sunday. They are now at four receivers on the 53-man roster again.

NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo added some more information shortly afterwards:

#Patriots are waiving WR Amara Darboh, as @FieldYates said. Source adds that Darboh is having surgery today. Unclear what type but that’s the reason for the transaction and his short stint in NE.

Given Garofolo’s report, it would not be a surprise if the Patriots opted to waive Darboh with an injury designation. If that were to be the case, the 2017 third-round draft pick would revert to New England’s injured reserve list in case he cleared waivers. At that point in time, however, that is all just speculation. What we know is this: Darboh’s stint with the Patriots comes to and end after only a few days.

With Darboh gone, the Patriots could look to add another wide receiver. They currently have the aforementioned quartet on their active team as well as two more pass catchers on the practice squad in Riley McCarron and Jace Billingsley – the latter is not yet officially signed, though.