Patriots roster cuts: New England’s plans to waive corner-turned-receiver Gunner Olszewski change

Gunner Olszewski’s improbable journey from Bemidji State cornerback to New England Patriots wide receiver was put on hold Saturday.

Until it wasn’t.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Patriots had intended to waive the undrafted rookie leading up to the 4 p.m. ET 53-man roster deadline. Those intentions changed in the final hour.

Olszewski has a spot for now.

Listed at 6-foot, 190 pounds, Olszewski caught five passes for 53 yards during New England’s preseason. The Division-II product also spelled in as a defensive back during Thursday night’s preseason finale versus the New York Giants, and closed out August with 95 yards via kick returns and 118 yards via punt returns.

“He’s very competitive and he works hard and he’s improved,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters of Olszewski on his conference call Friday. “He has a long way to go but he’s made a lot of improvement. He’s making a big jump from where he played to where he’s playing now, positionally and so forth. He’s improved a great deal.”

New England’s active wideout depth chart sits at six with Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, Josh Gordon, first-round pick N’Keal Harry and undrafted rookies Jakobi Meyers and Olszewski.

Former Chicago Bear and New Orleans Saint Cameron Meredith, who signed this August, remains on physically unable to perform.

Olszewski remains in the plans.