New England Patriots roster updates from training camp

NFL training camp is under way and that means news will start flowing from each team. How that news will be distributed in the time of Covid-19 restrictions is still to be seen, but news will get out one way or the other. We’ll take that news and give you our fantasy and betting analysis. And that news and analysis, including roster moves, injuries, all the way to hype videos, will be disseminated right here, on this very page for the New England Patriots.

The Patriots have had an offseason full of change. The biggest of course was the loss of Tom Brady and addition of Cam Newton, but we’ve also seen multiple Patriots opt out due to Covid-19 concerns as training camp gets under way.

Player News

High fantasy/betting impact

* Patriots sign running back Lamar Miller. — source — August 10

Miller is a veteran presence who is insurance for Sony Michel’s injury and if Damien Harris can’t make a jump this season. His signing does muddy the fantasy running back waters in New England, so this is a situation to keep an eye on.

* Sony Michel will start camp on the PUP list — source — August 2

Michel has dealt with injuries throughout his short career. Damien Harris is the most likely back to take away touches from Michel at this time. If Michel can’t get back into the fold soon, Harris could get a leg up.

* Patriots Covid opt-outs

So far the Patriots have lost eight players to opt outs including linebacker Dont’a Hightower, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon and safety Patrick Chung. After losing the bulk of their starting linebackers to free agency, Hightower just adds to those losses while Chung is one of the better safeties in the game. They are losses the Patriots can absorb to some extent but they will hurt and depth will be a problem.

Low fantasy/betting impact

* Signed OL Ben Braden, TE Paul Butler, TE Alex Ellis — August 17

* Signed RB Lamar Miller — August 13

Miller has not played since tearing his ACL a year ago, but his value could grow if Sony Michel is unavailable come Week 1.

* Signed OL Tyler Gauthier — August 12

* Signed DL Darius Kilgo — August 11

PUP list

RB Sony Michel

Covid-19 list

None yet

Players who have opted out

Brandon Bolden, RB — Source
Marcus Cannon, OT — Source
Patrick Chung, S — Source
Dont’a Hightower, LB — Source
Matt LaCosse, TE — Source
Marqise Lee, WR — Source
Najee Toran, OG — Source
Danny Vitale, FB — Source

Full list of roster cuts

September 3

DL Michael Barnett
CB Michael Jackson
WR Mohamed Sanu Jr.

August 28

WR Will Hastings

August 22

TE Alex Ellis
DT Darius Kilgo

August 15

WR Quincy Adeboyejo

August 13

DL Nick Coe
OL Dustin Woodard — Reserve/Retired

August 11

LB Brandon King — Reserve/PUP

July 26

DB Malik Gant
WR Will Hastings (re-signed July 28)
QB Brian Lewerke (re-signed July 30)
DB Adarius Pickett
WR Sean Riley
QB J’Mar Smith
LB Kyahva Tezino
DL Courtney Wallace
WR Isaiah Zuber (re-signed August 5)

July 25

DB Lenzy Pipkins