Patriots Waived Undrafted Rookie Wide Receiver Chris Harper

The New England Patriots suddenly are extremely shallow at wide receiver five days before their Week 2 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

The Patriots waived undrafted wide receiver Chris Harper, according to the NFL transaction wire. That leaves the Patriots with just Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson and special teamer Matthew Slater at receiver.

The Patriots have wide receivers Kenbrell Thompkins and Nathan Palmer on their practice squad, and they worked out Terrelle Pryor on Monday. The Patriots also need a fullback after starter James Develin suffered a broken leg during the preseason. They used tight end Michael Hoomanawanui and guard Shaq Mason at the position Week 1 and have shown interest in signing Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2015 seventh-rounder Joey Iosefa, according to a source.

Harper played 12 offensive snaps Thursday night but wasn’t targeted. Harper signed with the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of California in May. He had a strong preseason, catching 15 passes for 150 yards with a touchdown.

The Patriots also brought defensive tackle Joe Vellano and linebacker Dekoda Watson in for visits Tuesday, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported.

Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images