The New England Patriots cut ties with yet another wide receiver Saturday ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
One day before their matchup with the Jags, the Patriots released wideout Bennie Fowler and promoted offensive tackle Cole Croston from the practice squad.
The Patriots also re-signed wide receiver Riley McCarron to the practice squad after waiving him earlier this week.
Fowler, who signed with the Patriots on Tuesday, joins Chad Hansen and Amara Darboh on the list of receivers who have been released this season before making their Patriots debuts.
Croston’s promotion suggests starting right tackle Marcus Cannon will not play against Jacksonville. Cannon, who rotated with LaAdrian Waddle during last week’s win over the Houston Texans, has been limited with a calf injury he suffered Aug. 1 and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported Saturday that Cannon is unlikely to play this weekend. If he cannot go, Waddle will start in his place.
The Patriots had just three tackles on their roster — Cannon, Waddle and starting left tackle Trent Brown — before adding Croston. They’re preparing to face a Jaguars defense that ranked second in the NFL in sacks last season.
Waddle and Cannon both missed the Patriots’ last meeting with the Jaguars in last year’s AFC Championship Game.
New England did not add an additional running back to its 53-man roster despite Rex Burkhead (concussion) and Sony Michel (knee) both being listed as questionable. Expect one or both of those players to be active against Jacksonville.