After already parting ways with eight players earlier today, the New England Patriots have added two more to their list of roster cutdowns: undrafted rookie defensive tackle Bill Murray and wide receiver Devin Ross, one of the team’s training camp surprises, were let go. New England therefore has now 67 players on its active team while trying to get down to 53.
DT Bill Murray
Murray originally arrived in the NFL when the Patriots signed him as a rookie free agent shortly after he went unselected in this year’s draft. While fellow offseason addition Beau Allen missing all of the full-pads training camp practices this summer should have helped his stock in theory, the youngster was unable to take advantage. That being said, he appears to be a prime candidate to return via the practice squad: he has some tools to work with and might benefit from some time spent behind the scenes.
While Murray’s experience in the NFL is limited, he has 40 in-game appearances at William & Mary on his résumé. He also registered 19 sacks from his defensive tackle position and blocked an impressive 10 kicks in four seasons. Murray was named second team All-CAA in both 2018 and 2019.
WR Devin Ross
Ross was one of the big surprises early in training camp but has cooled off a bit since. He might have been the team’s most consistent deep threat over the first two weeks of full-pads practices, but that did still not guarantee him a spot on the team — especially considering that he failed to see regular reps alongside projected starting quarterback Cam Newton. That said, he is a serious candidate to make the practice squad if going unclaimed.
Ross originally arrived in New England last October, ending what had been a tumultuous few months for him: after unsuccessful stints with the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles, and a three-month stint on the open market, the Patriots brought Ross on board via their practice squad. He spent 11 weeks on the developmental roster, and impressed the team enough to earn a futures contract for the 2020 season.