Sidy Sow, a fourth-round pick of the Patriots is 2023, was released by the team on Friday.
Sidy Sow, a fourth-round pick of the Patriots is 2023, was released by the team on Friday.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots have started trimming their roster ahead of the NFL’s Tuesday deadline, releasing 14 players on Friday.
Coach Mike Vrabel announced the team cut tight ends Jaheim Bell and Cole Fotheringham, defensive tackles Philip Blidi and Kyle Peko, wide receiver Phil Lutz, linebackers R.J. Moten and Monty Rice, guards Tyrese Robinson and Sidy Sow, cornerbacks Isaiah Bolden and Jordan Polk, running backs Micah Bernard and Shane Watts, and quarterback Ben Wooldridge.
“Tough day,” Vrabel said. “We try to have a personal side to this and a professional side. This is clearly the professional side of what we have to do. Thirty-one other teams are going to do the same thing between now and Tuesday.”
None of the moves came as a major surprise.
The list includes three Patriots draft picks in Bell (seventh round, 2024), Sow (fourth round, 2023), and Bolden (seventh round, 2023). There are only six of the Patriots’ 12 selections in 2023 and four of their eight picks in 2024 still with the team. That group could shrink even more in the coming week, as wide receiver Javon Baker, offensive linemen Layden Robinson and Caedan Wallace, and linebacker Marte Mapu are on the roster bubble.
Parting ways with Sow and Robinson improves the chances that Wallace and/or 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange make the initial roster as interior backup linemen.
The Patriots still have to make at least 23 transactions to reach the 53-man limit by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The team is scheduled to practice Sunday and Monday afternoon.
“We’ll have to have guys to practice and try to make those decisions when they become evident,” Vrabel said. “We’re still having conversations on players and a vision and ideas and things that we want to do and where we want to get to.”
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.