The Patriots’ defense will be shorthanded to open the season. Here is how the defending AFC champions set their initial 53:
Released:
Waived:
S Eric Butler
G Mehki Butler
OL Jack Conley
CB Brandon Crossley
OL Darrian Dalcourt
TE C.J. Dippre
WR Kyle Dixon
LB Xavier Holmes
DT Isaiah Iton
RB Lan Larison
S Peter Manuma
T Lorenz Metz
OL Joe Michalski
RB Jam Miller
G JonDarius Morgan
OL Jacob Rizy
S John Saunders Jr.
Placed on IR:
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
Placed on reserve/NFI list:
The Landry matter is a significant concern. New England’s most accomplished edge rusher will miss at least four games due to a knee injury that has plagued him since midway through last season. As PFR’s Ben Levine pointed out last month, the Pats managed Landry’s workload in the postseason as a result of this issue.
New England will use free agency addition Dre’Mont Jones as one of its starting edge rushers, with ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss indicating second-year UDFA Elijah Ponder is positioned to be the defending AFC champions’ other EDGE starter. Second-round pick Gabe Jacas, who dealt with a notable injury issue (to the point it affected his rookie contract), is on track to be a backup. Reiss expects the Pats to make a move here by Monday, when the waiver wire will produce new destinations for claimed non-vested vets.