Patriots Surprisingly Release Longtime NFL Vet Ahead of Cutdown Day

The New England Patriots don’t play their final preseason game until Sunday night, but that isn’t stopping them from making minor changes to their 90-man roster.

With the preseason ending this weekend, many teams including the Patriots will be releasing and adding players as they try to see who will make the 53-man roster. On Wednesday, New England made a shocking move on the defensive line that no one saw coming.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots released veteran defensive tackle Mike Purcell. The 33-year-old defensive lineman was signed by New England at the beginning of this month after the team found out about Christian Barmore’s blood-clot diagnosis.

Purcell had an uphill climb to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster as he was playing behind Davon Godchaux, Jeremiah Pharms, Daniel Ekuale, and Trysten Hill.

Before the veteran defensive lineman signed with the Patriots, he spent the last five seasons with the Denver Broncos. Last season in the Mile High City, Purcell had 25 combined tackles, five quarterback hits, three pass deflections, and a tackle for loss in 10 starts.

Based on his years of playing experience, Purcell should easily find another opportunity for a team that needs defensive line help.

As for the Patriots, they’ll still have to make some tough decisions at the defensive tackle spot before roster cutdown day. 

Players such as Godchaux and Pharms are locks to make the 53-man roster. However, Hill, Ekuale, Armon Watts, Josiah Bronson, and Sam Roberts will get one more chance to make their case to Jerod Mayo and the rest of the Patriots’ coaching staff on Sunday night.

More Patriots news and analysis: