FOXBORO — One game into the season, a Patriots summer standout already is out of a job.
New England on Tuesday [released cornerback DJ James](https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/09/09/patriots-cut-training-camp-standout-have-open-spot-on-53-man-roster/), who earned a 53-man roster spot following a strong training camp and preseason.
Asked Wednesday why the Patriots cut James, head coach Mike Vrabel replied: “Just probably opportunity, and somebody else to earn another opportunity.”
James, who spent most of last season on New England’s practice squad, played just two snaps on defense and five more on special teams in the club’s season-opening loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 24-year-old was in coverage on an 11-yard completion to Jakobi Meyers that moved Las Vegas into field-goal range in the final seconds of the first half. (Daniel Carlson proceeded to miss a 58-yarder.)
The only Patriots cornerbacks who had substantial roles in Week 1 were Carlton Davis III, Alex Austin and Marcus Jones. With top corner Christian Gonzalez sidelined with a hamstring injury, Davis and Austin both started and played every snap, while Jones logged 40 snaps as the top slot option. Practice squad call-up Corey Ballentine only played on special teams.
Pressed on why the team chose to move on from James, Vrabel reiterated that he wanted to give opportunities to other depth corners. The Patriots’ options beyond their clear top four of Gonzalez, Davis, Austin and Jones are Charles Woods, who missed the Raiders game with a groin injury, and practice squadders Ballentine, Miles Battle and Kobee Minor.
Battle has been with the Patriots since last October and appeared in one game late last season. Miles is a seventh-round draft pick who was released during final roster cuts. The Patriots claimed Woods off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 27 and signed Ballentine, a 29-year-old journeyman, to their P-squad a day later.
“I think that just giving somebody else another opportunity this week, and we’ll kind of see where that goes,” Vrabel said. “But I appreciate what DJ was able to do and compete and work hard — extremely hard. There’s just going to be a — some of these things are going to be fluid. We have to try to continue to churn the roster and see who can help us.”
Gonzalez, who has not practiced since injuring his hamstring early in training camp, sat out again Wednesday, putting the second-team All-Pro’s availability for Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins in question.
New England did not immediately fill James’ spot on the 53-man roster.
Originally Published: September 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM EDT