The New England Patriots trimmed their roster down to 53 players Saturday at 4 p.m., and they can begin filling out their practice squad Sunday at noon.
Among players released Saturday, OL Chris Barker, WR DeAndre Carter, RB Tyler Gaffney, DE Geneo Grissom, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, OL Jon Halapio, DT Woodrow Hamilton, WR Chris Harper, RB Joey Iosefa, DE Rufus Johnson, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc, WR Devin Lucien, CB Darryl Roberts, LB Kevin Snyder, SS Vinnie Sunseri, DT Joe Vellano and TE Bryce Williams are eligible to sign to the practice squad.
The Patriots also could add some of the free agents they worked out recently to the practice squad.
We’ll keep you updated on all the signings here.
— It appears DE Geneo Grissom, WR Devin Lucien and DT Woodrow Hamilton signed to the practice squad based on practice attendance. Wide receiver Devin Street also signed to the practice squad, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. An offensive lineman wearing No. 72 also was at practice. That could be offensive tackle Clay DeBord, who worked out for the Patriots this week.
— The Patriots signed guard Chris Barker to the practice squad, a source told NESN.com. That’s three now.
— The Patriots have signed Rufus Johnson to the practice squad, his agent told the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian.
They have lost Chris Harper, who announced on Twitter he is joining the San Francisco 49ers.
Flyin to San Fran tonight. Thankful for the opportunity from the 49ers.
— Christopher Harper (@ItsChrisHarper) September 4, 2016
— The Patriots are signing running back Bishop Sankey to the practice squad, a source told NESN.com. Sankey, a 2014 second-round pick, went unclaimed on waivers after being released by the Tennessee Titans. Sankey has 199 career carries for 762 yards with three touchdowns. He has 32 receptions for 272 yards with one score.
— The following Patriots passed unclaimed through waivers:
Ex-Patriots who went unclaimed
Barker
DeAndre Carter
Dobson
Geneo
Halapio
Hamilton
Harper
Iosefa
Rufus
Lucien
Sunseri
Vellano
Bryce Williams— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 4, 2016
Three players the Patriots released Saturday were claimed: cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc by the Chicago Bears, cornerback Darryl Roberts by the New York Jets and linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill by the Philadelphia Eagles.
— One recently released wide receiver will not be sticking around, a source told the Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels.
I'm told WR DeAndre Carter will not be joining the Patriots practice squad
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 4, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images