The New England Patriots have reached the 80-man threshold before training camp.
As first reported by Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, New England quit seven undrafted rookies on Sunday.
Those rookies include quarterbacks J’Mar Smith and Brian Lewerke, wide receivers Isaiah Zuber, Sean Riley and Will Hastings, defensive tackle Courtney Wallace and linebacker Kyahva Tezino.
Additionally, returning security officers Malik Gant and Adarius Pickett were also fired a day after the Patriots announced the release of reserve futures cornerback Lenzy Pipkins. Gant spent 2019 on the injured reserve list after coming from Marshall, while Pickett ended the campaign in the practice squad after seasons with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers.
The Patriots could have chosen to start camp with a 90 roster if they operated under a divided squad configuration. But the NFL deadline for clubs to cut 80 players is August 16, before full practices begin in a summer that unfolds without preseason games amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Eight members of the 2020 New England undrafted class have completed the initial phase-out. That group features running back JJ Taylor, wide receiver Jeff Thomas, tight ends Rashod Berry and Jake Burt, defensive linemen Bill Murray and Nick Coe, linebacker De’Jon Harris and defender Myles Bryant.
A rookie free agent has resided on the Patriots’ active roster for 16 consecutive regular-season starts.
