Patriots release veteran guard Earl Watford from practice squad as two revert

The New England Patriots released veteran guard Earl Watford from the practice squad on Tuesday, according to the NFL transaction wire.

Watford, 30, had signed with the Patriots midway through December. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound James Madison product first entered the league with the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, and has made 25 starts over 71 career games.

Last regular season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Watford checked into 15 contests and started four at right guard.

In additional Tuesday movement, defensive tackle Nick Thurman and inside linebacker Cassh Maluia reverted to the New England practice squad. Both had been promoted to the gameday roster in the hours leading up to Monday night’s 38-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium.

Thurman, who served as a Covid-19 replacement, totaled three tackles over the course of 28 defensive snaps. It marked the 6-foot-4, 305-pound University of Houston alum’s seventh appearance of the season. Thurman originally signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2018. The 25-year-old spent the duration of 2019 on New England’s practice squad.

Maluia, who served as a standard elevation, saw eight snaps on defense and six on special teams versus Buffalo. The 22-year-old out of Wyoming arrived in the sixth round of April’s draft at pick No. 204 overall. Maluia, listed at 6-foot, 248-pounds, has played in eight games during his rookie campaign between stops on the 53-man roster and scout team.

The Patriots host the New York Jets for the finale next Sunday in Foxborough. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.