Two former Auburn players trying to earn NFL roster spots as evolved rookies were fired on Thursday when the New England Patriots defensive end Nick Coe and the Pittsburgh Steelers released fullback Spencer Nigh.
The Patriots departed from Coe when they announced the signing of Lamar Miller’s run. Miller is a two-time 1,000-yard rusher and Pro 2018 bowler who missed the 2019 season after suffering a knee injury in a Houston Texans preseason game.
Despite scoring a 4.89-second 40-yard dash at 291 pounds during the NFL Scouting Combine, Coe went undrafted and signed on May 5 with New England.
Coe had left Auburn with a season of qualifying left after making 15 tackles, with three tackles for loss, in 2019. In 2018, Coe had 27 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks for the Tigers. He started 10 games in 2018 and one in 2019.
The Steelers departed from Nigh to clear a roster spot for the return of Jaylen Samuels, who came out of reserve / COVID-19 after an 11-day stay. Samuels has had 431 rushing yards and 73 receptions in the past two seasons for Pittsburgh.
A walk earning a scholarship for his fourth season and playing H-back and fullback at Auburn, Nigh began nine games in 2019, when he caught two passes for 33 yards and had a 2-yard run.
Nigh has been with the Steelers since signing on April 30.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.
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