FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots tight end Steve Maneri will be a busy man Friday night.
The Patriots released veteran tight end Ben Hartsock on Thursday, leaving Maneri as the only healthy tight end on the team’s 90-man roster.
Rob Gronkowski has been limited in training camp as he recovers from a torn ACL, and D.J. Williams and Michael Hoomanawanui have been absent from practice with injuries. Patriots fullback James Develin should see time at tight end in Friday night’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Patriots signed Hartsock on Sunday after releasing tight ends Justin Jones and Asa Watson. Hartsock was a third-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2004, and he also spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
Hartsock’s release leaves the Patriots with 89 players, and they haven’t announced a corresponding move.
Photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
