J.J. Taylor was in the mix at running back, while Justin Bethel is considered among the top special team players in the league.
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.
