The New England Patriots’ initial 53-man roster for the 2020 season has been set, and the team will now begin to establish its first practice squad.
As of 12 pm ET Sunday, the claiming deadline for players with less than four accrued seasons on their respective résumés has passed. Players that have been let go over the last two days are now subject to the waiver wire — including 21 now-former Patriots. All of them could, in theory be scooped up by other clubs (last year, for example, New England lost four of its previously released players through waivers). For more on the waiver wire, please click here.
Effective 1 pm ET Sunday, the Patriots can also begin to add up to 16 previously released players to their practice squad as both a scout team for the regular season and as depth in case of injury. Given the new practice squad rules that allow teams to bring back up to six players regardless of their experience, all of the 24 players released on Saturday are now potential candidates to be added again. For more on the practice squad, please click here.
In order to stay on top of all the moves New England will make over the next few hours, please make sure to bookmark and regularly re-visit our up-to-the-minute tracker below.
Patriots practice squad signings
LB/TE Rashod Berry
LB Tashawn Bower
CB Myles Bryant
TE Jake Burt
K Nick Folk
LB Terez Hall
WR Mason Kinsey*
LB Cassh Maluia
DT Bill Murray
TE Paul Quessenberry
K Justin Rohrwasser
CB D’Angelo Ross
WR Devin Ross
RB J.J. Taylor
DT Nick Thurman
DT Xavier Williams
WR Isaiah Zuber
*reported but not yet official
Patriots waiver wire claims
The Patriots did not claim any outside players.
Patriots waiver wire/free agency losses
No Patriots were claimed.
LB De’Jon Harris signed by Green Bay Packers practice squad*
*reported but not yet official
Patriots news/transactions/rumors
September 6
- The Patriots have released their first official practice squad of the season, and it includes one change over the reported structure: linebacker Tashawn Bower has made it while wide receiver Mason Kinsey is still not on board.
- Despite its active roster and practice squad already being full, New England will reportedly also add wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson. An undrafted rookie who spent training camp in Tennessee, Wilkerson could be added after some additional roster shuffling. (via Turron Davenport)
- Patriots linebacker De’Jon Harris, who was not expected to return, has signed with the Green Bay Packers. (via Matt Zenitz)
- New England’s final practice squad spot goes to a wide receiver from Division-III — the only player brought on board from outside the organization: Mason Kinsey was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent. He was not present at practice, though, and will have to go through Covid-19 protocols before officially joining the team. (via Berry College)
- The Patriots returned to practice on Saturday afternoon, the first time after cutdown day. 15 members of their practice squad were also present, including five that were not previously reported: running back J.J. Taylor, wide receiver Isaiah Zuber, tight end Paul Quessenberry, defensive tackle Xavier Williams, and defensive lineman/tight end Rashod Berry. New England has one spot left. (via Mark Daniels)
- Wide receiver Devin Ross had a solid training camp and made some splash plays early on. After his hot start, however, the former practice squad member cooled off a bit. He was released but is on his way back to New England via the practice squad. (via Mike Reiss)
- Nick Folk looked like the winer of the Patriots’ kicking competition this summer, but he also was released as part of Saturday’s cutdowns. The new practice squad rules allow him to return, however, which he is expected to do. (via Jeff Howe)
- Undrafted rookie wide receiver Jeff Thomas is not expected to return to New England’s practice squad at the moment. The youngster missed some time in training camp and was generally quiet even when on the field. (via Jeff Howe)
- Defensive tackle Nick Thurman spent the 2019 season on the Patriots’ practice squad but failed to make the necessary strides during his second training camp with the club to be kept on the active roster. He is, however, expected to return to the practice squad. (via Andrew Callahan)
- Tight end Jake Burt grew up a Patriots fan and later found his way to the team via Boston College. He was released on Saturday, but the undrafted rookie is reportedly expected to be kept on the practice squad. (via Ben Volin)
- Kicker Justin Rohrwasser was released following an inconsistent training camp performance, but the Patriots have apparently not yet given up on their fifth-round investment: the rookie is expected to return via the practice squad (via Mark Daniels)
- Linebacker Terez Hall spent his entire rookie season on the Patriots’ practice squad, but his experience with the defense and some solid plays in training camp were not enough to make the team. He is expected to return via the practice squad, however. (via Evan Lazar)
- Defensive tackle Bill Murray’s famous name did not save him from getting released on Saturday, but he is now expected back via New England’s practice squad. The undrafted rookie offers depth behind Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler and Byron Cowart — especially in case Beau Allen gets placed on short-term injured reserve. (via Jeff Howe)
- Undrafted rookie linebacker De’Jon Harris is not expected to return to New England’s practice squad despite going unclaimed. (via Jeff Howe)
- Coming off a year spent on injured reserve, D’Angelo Ross did have some positive moments during training camp. Given the team’s depth at the cornerback position, however, he faced an uphill climb to make the 53-man roster. He is expected to return via the practice squad, though. (via Mark Daniels)
- Myles Bryant was one of the most intriguing rookie free agents at Patriots training camp this year. The Washington product was still released but made it through waivers to return via the practice squad. (via Jeff Howe)
- Rookie linebacker Cassh Maluia showed some upside as a downhill defender and in coverage, but failed to make the team. That said, he is expected to return via the practice squad. (via Jeff Howe)
- All 21 non-vested players waived by the Patriots on Saturday did go unclaimed through the waiver wire. This means that all of them will be eligible to return via the practice squad.