Patriots Reportedly Waive Depth Defender Ahead Of Dolphins Game

The New England Patriots on the very first day of free agency in March signed defensive tackle Armon Watts to a one-year, $3 million deal.

But Watts never ended up playing in a regular-season game for the Patriots.

The veteran defensive tackle started this season on injured reserve and Watts was waived by the Patriots on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston.

Watts, who made just two tackles in two preseason games, was placed on IR with an undisclosed injury when the Patriots cut their roster down to 53 players. The designation meant Watts’ season was over unless he was released with an injury settlement. It’s unclear if that was the case with the Patriots parting ways with Watts.

It seemed like Watts had a chance to carve out a role along New England’s defensive line during the preseason, especially with star defensive tackle Christian Barmore sidelined with blood clots. It was just three seasons ago that Watts registered a career-high five sacks and 46 tackles in 17 games with the Minnesota Vikings. But Watts’ numbers dropped off after that stellar season as he spent the last two campaigns with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.

With Barmore out indefinitely and Watts never in the fold, the Patriots have received mix results from Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale and Jeremiah Pharms Jr. on the interior of their defensive line.