 New England Patriots WR Josh Boyce was among those cut during Saturday's move to get down to the 53-man roster limit. (USA TODAY Images) |
Once thought of as a potential big play receiver in New England's offense, it appears that receiver Josh Boyce will be one of many trying to land a job with an NFL team after Saturday's cut down as the Patriots pared their roster down from 75 to the 53-man limit.
According to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, Boyce was notified that he would be among the players waived this afternoon. The speedy receiver out of Texas Christian was taken in the fourth round last year but wasn't able to take the next step after having had an up and down training camp.
Boyce had a strong offseason and started off well, receiving a lot of praise early on in camp. However, he was inconsistent, looking fantastic one day and then not so great at other times. Apparently the coaching staff didn't feel confident in his growth, and as a result it appears they've made alternative decisions at the bottom of a group that many had felt had both Boyce and potentially Kenbrell Thompkins battling for a roster spot.
Thompkins seems to have survived, while Boyce didn't. Although it's not out of the realm of possibility for Boyce to potentially return on the team's practice squad should he clear waivers.
Meanwhile, other players said to be among those having received bad news are the following:
WR Josh Boyce
DT Jerel Worthy
DT Eathyn Manumaleuna
DT L.T. Tuipulotu
DE Jake Bequette
TE Steve Maneri
C Braxton Cave
G Jon Halapio
T Chris Martin
LB Steve Beauharnais
LB James Morris*
(*apparent right knee injury suffered Friday night, placed on IR per Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald)
LB Ja'Gared Davis
RB Roy Finch
RB Jonas Gray
CB Daxton Swanson
S Kanorris Davis
S Shamiel Gary
WR Jeremy Gallon
RB Taylor McCuller
LS Danny Aiken
One quick note for those wondering. So far it appears the Patriots will stay with three quarterbacks, with Ryan Mallett still on the team to this point. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, had the Patriots cut Mallett, the Texans would have claimed him.
Also, Howe points out that Brandon Browner and Brian Tyms are now on the suspended list.
As history has shown, the final cuts don't necessarily guarantee any security for some of the remaining guys who are left, as the situation tends to remain fluid while the dust settles and New England begins evaluating other players released. As a result, don't be surprised if there are some additional moves through the remainder of the weekend as the team finishes putting their roster together heading into their week one match-up in Miami next Sunday.
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