Patriots cut Cassius Marsh, add DE Eric Lee

The Patriots have cut defensive end Cassius Marsh, according to the league's transaction wire.

The 25-year-old Marsh, who was acquired from Seattle for a pair of draft picks prior to the start of the 2017 season, had a sack and 14 tackles in nine games with New England this season.

In addition, the Patriots signed defensive end Eric Lee off the Bills practice squad. The 23-year-old Lee is a 6-foot-3, 260-pound rookie out of South Florida. He was initially signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent before being cut by Houston. He had been on and off Buffalo’s practice squad all season.

BSJ analysis

While Marsh had made a couple of splash special teams plays over the course of the 2017 season -- including one blocked kick against the Falcons -- the writing may have been on the wall for him when it came to Sunday's game. Marsh played just two snaps in the win over the Raiders, the lowest total for anyone on the defensive side of the ball. And as Greg noted here, he gave up the edge on a 25-yard run and went back to the bench. It's hard to believe he was yanked as part of a rotation designed to keep everyone fresh while fighting through the thin air of Mexico City. Going forward, look for the Patriots to try and fill his role with a variety of defenders, including Deatrich Wise, Jr.