5:22 p.m.: All 19 players cut by the Patriots on Saturday cleared waivers at noon Sunday, according to the league’s transaction wire. Only Davis and Gray have signed to the Patriots’ practice squad, according to sources.
5:12 p.m.: The Patriots signed quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson to their practice squad, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Caplan.
Bethel-Thompson went undrafted out of Sacramento State in 2011, but he has spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings. He was released by the 49ers on Aug. 25.
Wide receiver Josh Boyce cleared waivers, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
4:21 p.m.: The Patriots officially announced four roster moves. In addition to claiming Kelcy Quarles off waivers from the New York Giants and trading Ryan Mallett to the Houston Texans, they also claimed Bruce Gaston off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals and released linebacker Chris White.
Gaston is 6-foot-2, 310 pounds and signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in May. He had 131 tackles and seven sacks in 44 starts during his four-year career at Purdue.
The Patriots now have seven true defensive tackles (Gaston, Quarles, Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga, Chris Jones, Joe Vellano and Dominique Easley), four true linebackers (Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Jerod Mayo and Darius Fleming) and four hybrid edge players (Michael Buchanan, Rob Ninkovich, Chandler Jones and Zach Moore). Expect more moves in the next few days as the Patriots finalize their roster.
The Patriots have only signed linebacker Ja’Gared Davis and running back Jonas Gray to their practice squad so far.
3:15 p.m.: Running back Roy Finch hasn’t been signed to the Patriots’ practice squad yet, according to a source. The Patriots might not finalize their 10 practice squad spots until Monday.
1:49 p.m.: The Patriots claimed defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles off waivers from the New York Giants, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports. The Patriots don’t need to make a corresponding roster move yet after trading Mallett.
1:40 p.m.: The Patriots reportedly traded backup quarterback Ryan Mallett to the Houston Texans.
1:01 p.m.: Running back Jonas Gray will sign to the Patriots’ practice squad, according to a source.
12:50 p.m.: Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon won’t sign to the Patriots’ practice squad, according to a source.
12:35 p.m.: Linebacker Ja’Gared Davis is signing to the Patriots’ practice squad, according to a source.
12:18 p.m.: The waiver wire officially is closed. Players who have been claimed will be added to their new team’s roster, and players who went unclaimed are free to sign with practice squads.
A source said not to expect linebacker Steve Beauharnais to sign to the Patriots’ practice squad.
11:30 p.m. ET: The New England Patriots completed their first draft of the 53-man roster Saturday, but that list of players will go through many changes before the team suits up for next week’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said the team has been scouring the waiver wire, and it would be unsurprising for the team to place a few claims on available players. The Patriots are without a full-time long snapper, and they lack depth at linebacker after initial cuts. The Patriots also must fill out a 10-man practice squad with players who clear waivers at noon Sunday.
Out of the 708 NFL players who lost jobs Saturday, 320 will be re-signed to practice squads. Most of the Patriots’ 10 practice squad signings likely will come from the 19 players released Saturday.
The Patriots cut guard Jon Halapio, fullback/linebacker Taylor McCuller, safeties Shamiel Gary and Kanorris Davis, wide receivers Josh Boyce and Jeremy Gallon, cornerback Daxton Swanson, linebackers Steve Beauharnais and Ja’Gared Davis, defensive end Jake Bequette, tight end Steve Maneri, defensive tackles Jerel Worthy, L.T. Tuipulotu and Eathyn Manumaleuna, running backs Jonas Gray and Roy Finch, center Braxston Cave, long snapper Danny Aiken and offensive tackle Chris Martin.
The Patriots cut six additional players Tuesday — cornerback Jemea Thomas, defensive lineman Ben Bass, defensive back Travis Hawkins, wide receivers Derrick Johnson and Wilson Van Hooser and linebacker Deontae Skinner. Only Thomas latched on with another team — the Dallas Cowboys, where he remains.
We’ll keep track of all of the Patriots’ waiver wire additions and practice squad signings here throughout what should be a crazy Sunday afternoon.
