It’s cutdown week in the NFL. The New England Patriots must trim their roster from 80 players to 53 by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Below is a running tracker of each Patriots transaction as their Week 1 roster begins to take shape, beginning with the most recent move:
— The Patriots have finalized their initial 53-man roster.
— Quinn Nordin has won the Patriots’ kicker competition, beating out veteran Nick Folk, according to a report from ESPN’s Field Yates.
— Defensive tackle Byron Cowart will begin the season on the PUP list, per a report from Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. He’ll miss at least the first six games.
— The Patriots released defensive tackle Akeem Spence, per a report from PFF’s Doug Kyed. With Spence and Montravius Adams both gone, Carl Davis appears to have a strong chance of sticking on the 53-man roster. Spence and Adams both were rumored as potential trade candidates earlier this week.
— Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, his agent told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That means Gilmore will miss at least the first six games, leaving New England without one of its best defensive players.
— A bombshell: The Patriots have released quarterback Cam Newton, according to multiple reports. Rookie Mac Jones will start against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1.
— The Patriots released defensive tackle Montravius Adams, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
— The Patriots waived wide receiver Isaiah Zuber, per a report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Zuber caught a touchdown pass from Mac Jones in Sunday’s preseason finale.
— In the most surprising move of the day thus far, the Patriots waived defensive back Myles Bryant, according to a report from Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus. An injury limited Bryant for much of the summer, but he was projected to be a valuable depth piece in New England’s secondary after a promising rookie season.
— The Patriots released guard Alex Redmond, according to multiple reports.
— The Patriots released tight end Matt LaCosse, according to multiple reports. LaCosse was enjoying a strong camp before a hard hit knocked him out of a joint practice with the Eagles. He has yet to return to the field.
Barring a late addition, the Patriots likely will keep just three tight ends: Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith and Devin Asiasi.
— The Patriots released defensive back D’Angelo Ross, per a report from Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. Ross started Sunday’s preseason finale at slot corner and pulled down an interception.
— The Patriots released cornerback Dee Virgin, according to multiple reports. Virgin was pushing for a roster spot as a core special teamer.
— The Patriots waived wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson, according to a report from Evan Lazar of CLNS Media. Wilkerson was an early standout in training camp, but a rash of drops likely derailed his bid for a roster spot.
— The Patriots waived rookie offensive lineman Will Sherman, according to a report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Along with Tre Nixon, Sherman is the second member of New England’s 2021 draft class to fall victim to final cuts.
— Head coach Bill Belichick suggested Tuesday morning that wide receiver N’Keal Harry will be on the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster.
“I thought N’Keal had a good camp,” Belichick said. “I’m glad we have him. I think he’ll make a big contribution to our team.”
Harry is recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in New England’s second preseason game. The Patriots could place him on injured reserve after the cutdown deadline, which would sideline him for at least the first three games.
— The Patriots added to their roster Monday night, swinging a trade for Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Yasir Durant, according to a report from Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star.
— No Patriots transactions appeared on Monday’s NFL transaction wire, meaning their initial cuts will not be processed until Tuesday.
— The Patriots are waiving defensive tackle Bill Murray, according to multiple reports.
Murray, who spent last season on the Patriots’ practice squad, led all New England defenders in total pressures this preseason — including 1 1/2 sacks against the New York Giants on Sunday — and had a surprisingly large role on special teams, playing on the punt, kickoff and kickoff return teams.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero tweeted that the William & Mary product will be “one to watch on waivers.”
— The Patriots are waiving rookie wide receiver Tre Nixon, according to a report from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Nixon, a 2021 seventh-round draft pick, is expected to join the practice squad if he clears waivers, per Rapoport.
— The Patriots are releasing veteran safety Adrian Colbert, per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Colbert confirmed his release on social media.
