Thursday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline came and went for the New England Patriots.
No additional players would be added to New England’s list of opt-outs heading into the 2020 season, according to the NFL transaction wire.
That list is now finalized at a league-leading eight.
Running back Brandon Bolden, fullback Danny Vitale, wide receiver Marqise Lee, tight end Matt LaCosse and offensive linemen Marcus Cannon and Najee Toran have opted out on one side of the ball. On defense, so have linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung.
Players under the higher-risk designation will receive a $350,000 stipend and an accrued year of service time, while others opting out under the lower-risk designation will see a $150,000 salary advance. Contracts and signing bonus proration toll into 2021.
New England’s active roster stands at 75 after the team re-signed undrafted wideouts Will Hastings and Isaiah Zuber over the past week. That leaves five vacancies as strength and conditioning continues on the practice fields shadowing Gillette Stadium.
Since reconvening for training camp, the Patriots have yet to place a player on the Covid-19 reserve list, formed for those who either test positive for coronavirus or are in quarantine after having been in close contact with a person who tested positive.