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Wide receiver Isaiah Zuber would be among those waived as the New England Patriots trimmed to a roster of 80. But the undrafted rookie by way of Mississippi State and Kansas State has since returned to town.
The Patriots hosted Zuber on a visit last weekend, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN, and his contract became official on Wednesday.
Eight Patriots players have opted out of the 2020 season, including veteran wideout Marqise Lee. The 6-foot, 190-pound Zuber will fill one opening as strength and conditioning ramps up to the initial practice of training camp.
The Patriots took a similar route with fellow undrafted receiver Will Hastings, who had also cleared waivers after the 80-man cutdown.
Zuber caught 141 passes for 1,532 yards and 13 touchdowns over the course of his career between the Big 12 and SEC. On special teams, he returned 33 kickoffs for 513 yards and found the end zone on an 85-yard punt return.
Zuber originally garnered a $10,000 signing bonus and $90,000 in guaranteed base salary from New England this spring.