Salary cap recap 10.16.18: Space continues to dwindle as Patriots fill out roster

Measuring the moves the Patriots made the last couple of days and their impact on the salary cap:



1. On October 8, they re-signed running back Kenjon Barner. This move took up $444,706 in cap space, since New England is now responsible for paying him for the last twelve weeks of the 2018 season.

2. On the same day, they signed defensive tackle Frank Herron and linebacker Calvin Munson to the practice squad. Their cap numbers are $91,200.

3. The Patriots made room for the aforementioned duo by releasing defensive tackle Vincent Valentine and running back Ralph Webb from the practice squad.

4. The Patriots filled out their practice squad by re-signing running back Kenneth Farrow. His cap number is $91,200.

5. The Patriots lost $62,500 in cap space as Julian Edelman earned two NLTBE 46-man active roster bonuses after not being active at all in 2017.

6. The Patriots lost $54,688 in cap space when Dont'a Hightower was active for the sixth time this season after being active only five times in 2017. His 46-man active roster bonus is $54,687.50.

The net effect of this week's moves is to lower the Patriots salary cap space number to $1,636,067.

We're still waiting to learn the amount of Malcolm Mitchell's grievance settlement -- his grievance amount of $252,000 remains on the Patriots cap. The Boston Herald's Kevin Duffy tweeted in late September that Mitchell's grievance had been settled.

Answering some logical follow-up questions:

Question: When can the eligible players on IR play again with the Patriots?

Answer: Duke Dawson can play in the Week 9 game against the Packers while Rex Burkhead can play in the Vikings game on December 2. Per a bylaws change, this year they have to miss eight games, not eight weeks.

Question: When can the players who have previously reached injury settlements re-sign with the Patriots?

Answer: Jordan Matthews - after Week 3. Please note that Matthews is currently on the Eagles roster.
Nate Theaker - after Week 4
Will Tye - after Week 7
Luke Bowanko - after Week 9

Question: Who are the current members of the Patriots practice squad?

Answer:

1. QB Danny Etling


2. OL James Ferentz


3. CB Jomal Wiltz


4. DE Trent Harris


5. OL Eric Smith


6. TE Stephen Anderson


7. S David Jones


8. LB Calvin Munson


9. DT Frank Herron


10. RB Kenneth Farrow

1. Isaiah Wynn


2. Jeremy Hill - Eligible to be designated for return


3. Duke Dawson - Eligible to be designated for return


4. Ryan Izzo


5. Braxton Berrios


6. Christian Sam


7. Ulrick John


8. Rex Burkhead - Eligible to be designated for return


9. Ja'Whaun Bentley - Eligible to be designated for return