Patriots Announce Roster Moves, Release Veteran Center

The New England Patriots reset their roster on Friday, moving on from four players who were all signed during the 2024 season, the club announced.

The Patriots released veteran center Lecitus Smith, linebackers Curtis Jacobs and Andrew Parker, Jr. and tackle Caleb Jones.

Smith was signed by the Patriots from the Green Bay Packers practice squad in October and played in eight games for New England, with one start as a tackle-eligible tight end against the New York Jets in Week 8. Smith provided depth at center after the Patriots lost David Andrews to a season-ending torn rotator cuff.

Jacobs was claimed off waivers from Kansas City after being released by the Chiefs in August at the end of training camp. He played nine games for New England, making one tackle on defense and three special teams tackles. Jacobs ended the season on injured reserve.

Parker was signed to the Patriots practice squad on Dec. 2 and remained there for the remainder of the season. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agent last offseason.

Jones, like Parker, spent the entire season on the Patriots practice squad after signing with New England in September. The 6-foot-9, 370-pound tackle signed with the Packers as a rookie free agent in 2022 and spent some time on the Green Bay active roster in 2023 before being released last August.

These moves reduce the Patriots’ roster to 69 players, leaving 21 open spots on their 90-man roster. New England could fill some of these open spots with the nine picks the club has in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.