UPDATED A FEW SPOTS DOWN BELOW
The Patriots held their penultimate practice open to the media today. Since it's past the time required to be open to the media, we are restricted to regular-season rules: basically, attendance and the viewing of individual drills.
The attendance could be significant, and it might not. Players could be dealing with injuries sustained in the final preseason game.
The big news was WR Kyle Williams was back at practice.
Some notable "new" absences: Marcus Epps, Jack Gibbens, Layden Robinson, Cole Strange.
It was announced later that Robinson was released with an injury designation, so he could revert back to injured reserve, or reach an injury settlement.
Out and to be at least dealing with something: Christian Gonzalez, Efton Chism, Kendrick Bourne, Anfernee Jennings, Jahlani Tavai, Terrell Jennings.
The Patriots are set to hit the practice field from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday. The deadline to reach the 53-man roster limit is 4 p.m., so I'm guessing the Patriots will make most, if not all, of their cuts before hitting the practice field - so that gives them another day.
With that in mind, here is my final 53-man roster projection for the Patriots.
OFFENSE
Changes:
UPDATE: With Kendrick Bourne still not on the field today, I've decided to give him one of the two slots where you can move a player to in-season IR at cutdowns.
Javon Baker in, Jack Westover out.
I think Baker, considering Kendrick Bourne's cloudy injury situation, is in given his good work on special teams. I like Westover as a third TE and his blocking and special teams work has been good, but I think I'd take the risk of getting him through to the practice squad.
Could be released, depending on waiver claims/trades
OG Caeden Wallace
WR Javon Baker
OT Vederian Lowe
UPDATE: Decided to move Jahlani Tavai to the second in-season IR spot, freeing up another roster spot. That one goes to Dell Pettus over Marcus Epps.
Changes:
S Kyle Dugger in, S Marcus Epps out
I think Dugger showed enough in the finale and has shown great professionalism playing to the end of the last two preseason games, that he deserves to be on the roster and get a chance to fully come back from offseason surgery. Also a big part of this: I don't think the Patriots are going to get anything for him in a trade — and there's another report today he is actively being shopped — without paying a lot of money. Might as well keep him here for the year and see where it goes. If Dugger is traded, I'm moving Dell Pettus on the roster.
I let it play out with Epps, but he never really made a move to grab a spot.
LBs Marte Mapu and Cam Riley in, Jack Gibbens and Monty Rice out
Gibbens didn't do much this summer, and his lack of speed was exposed against the Giants. The Patriots don't have much at linebacker, and I'm betting on the speed of Mapu and Riley for now. It would very well be Gibbens over Riley — since Mike Vrabel has comfort with him — but I don't see the sense. Rice as so bad against the Giants he's already been released.
Could be released depending on waiver claims/trades
CB Miles Battle
LB Cam Riley
LB Marte Mapu
DT Jeremiah Pharms
DE Truman Jones - His play dictates that he has earned a spot, but I'm just not sure how they feel about him.
Changes:
K Parker Romo in, K Andy Borregales out
Romo has won the job on the game and practice fields. The only reason to keep Borregales is that he was a draft pick. I've seen enough.