The New England Patriots made a series of roster moves beforethe final game of the regular season to make room for a couple of players returning from injured reserve. In doing so, the team waived cornerback Miles Battle and center Brenden Jaimes on Monday, and if they clear waivers, it’s possible they could be re-signed to the practice squad.
With players due to return from injury reserve, the need for additional roster space is valid, but it was surprising to see that Battle was one of the players released as a result. He was originally elevated from the practice squad for Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans and then was promoted to the 53-man roster by Week 13.
In five games this season, Battle only made three tackles. He logged 29 snaps on defense and 54 on special teams. The obvious players that are eligible to return from IR are offensive tackle Will Campbell and defensive tackle Milton Williams. But it’s also cornerback Alex Austin who is eligible to make his return as well.
Austin was placed on IR after New England’s Week 12 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Austin was spotted at practice with a cast covering his left wrist/hand after a minor surgical procedure on his wrist, a source told Reiss.
It’s worth noting that Austin struggled more often than not this season. In 12 games, the receivers he covered made 10 receptions on 12 targets, and the 83.3% completion is the highest on the team for any defensive back, also ranking sixth overall on the team with five linebackers ahead of him.
Patriots' CB Depth Is Even Thinner After Miles Battle's Release
The depth to the cornerback position is thin behind Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Marcus Jones. And now there’s really only Charles Woods and Dell Pettus behind them at this point. Battle fit the model of what head coach Mike Vrabel wants to have in a cornerback, which is size, and Battle had a lot of it at 6’3”, 197 lbs.
Out of all of the injuries the Patriots have managed this season, defensive back hasn’t been a position that they’ve worried too much about. Gonzalez and Davis have both played over 90% of the defensive snaps this season, and Jones is having an all-around career year.
Battle's Release Turns Spotlight to Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus
There have been times this season where special teams ace and team captain Brenden Schooler has lined up on defense, usually as a hybrid nickel safety. Although it's not common to see the Patriots' special teams ace on defense, Schooler has recorded 31 defensive snaps this season, and he had 50 last season while playing over 300 snaps on special teams.
Schooler is great in his role, but he cannot replace a cornerback despite being a defensive back by trade. Even if Austin returns sooner rather than later, the need for additional depth at defensive back is still going to be there, considering he’s already shown to struggle when given the opportunity.
The other option is Pettus. He’s shown to be both durable and reliable in his first two seasons in New England, but he’s used more situationally rather than on every down. Pettus has played in every game for the second straight season, recording 98 snaps on defense and 301 on special teams.
It’s more likely than not that the Patriots are hoping to re-sign Battle back to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The depth to the position is too thin not to have reinforcements in the pipeline for this season, and that could be what Battle brings to the table.