All NFL teams trimmed their rosters to 53 players on Tuesday, and there were a few surprise moves from the New England Patriots.
Leading the list, the Patriots released running back J.J. Taylor and veteran cornerback/core special teamer Justin Bethel.
Bethel has been with the Patriots since midway through the 2019 season. The former Pro Bowler is regarded as one of the best special teams players in the league. As a vested veteran, he will not be subject to waivers and could re-sign with the team if it creates an open roster spot by placing injured players on IR after the cutdown deadline (4 p.m. Tuesday).
Taylor, however, will be subject to waivers and could be claimed by another team in the 24 hours after the 4 p.m. deadline. Taylor is the second running back to receive his release after sixth-round rookie Kevin Harris was cut early Tuesday afternoon. That leaves Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ty Montgomery and Pierre Strong in the team’s running backs room.
The Patriots also cut defensive lineman Henry Anderson. Anderson, like Bethel, is a vested veteran who could re-sign to a vacated roster spot Wednesday. The 31-year-old started with the top defense early in training camp when Deatrich Wise was injured. He agreed to a pay cut in the offseason after playing in just four games last year.
The Patriots also informed cornerback Terrence Mitchell that they plan on releasing him, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. That means fourth-round pick Jack Jones will likely serve as the team’s primary backup at boundary cornerback.
New England’s cornerback depth chart has come into focus over the past two weeks.
It looks like Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones will start on the outside, with either Myles Bryant or Marcus Jones lining up in the slot. Jack Jones will serve as a backup.
The Patriots opened training camp with Mitchell in a starting boundary spot, but he fell down the roster relatively quickly. Malcolm Butler was also released with an injury settlement, so two veterans who looked like they might factor into the equation won’t be on the 53-man roster.
By cutting Mitchell, the Patriots save $1.34 million against the salary cap and only put a dead cap hit of $350,000 on their books.
Also among the Tuesday cuts was wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who led the Pats in receiving over their first two preseason games, but was quiet in last Friday’s finale at Las Vegas.
He signed with the Patriots late in the spring and also saw reps on special teams.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder showed steady progress during training camp and could re-sign to the Patriots’ practice squad if he passes through waivers unclaimed.
Coach Bill Belichick spoke to Humphrey’s development after the team’s 20-10 preseason win over Carolina, when Humphrey made a diving save to help down a punt at the 3-yard line.
“He’s a big kid that is tough and has very good hands and is kind of a big receiver, tight end-ish type of guy,” Belichick said. “Has a good feel, very good instincts in the passing game. Handles himself well in the middle of the field with linebackers under him, over him, in between him. Kind of does the right thing there and helps the quarterback out and is a big target.
“He gets some tough yards after the catch. Did a decent job blocking on some of the perimeter plays. Then he showed up in the kicking game.”
Also released was second-year wideout Tre Nixon.
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