Patriots make first reported cuts ahead of 53-man roster deadline

Coming out of their preseason finale and heading into the weekend, the New England Patriots had an active roster of 91 players. With the cutdown deadline looming, they have started trimming that number.

The team started by informing 13 players of their release . Wide receivers Kyle Dixon, Nick DeGennaro and Cameron Dorner, tight end C.J. Dippre, offensive tackle Lorenz Metz, interior offensive linemen Darrian Dalcourt, Jacob Rizy and JonDarius Morgan, outside linebackers Xavier Holmes and Amari Gainer, and cornerbacks Brandon Crossley and Marcellas Dial Jr. have all been waived, according to multiple reports.

In addition, the team released safety Eric Butler with an injury designation.

Dixon, 25, started his college career as a baseball player before returning to the gridiron with Culver-Stockton in 2024. In two seasons and 22 games with the Wildcats, he caught 143 passes for 2,394 yards and 24 touchdowns. A two-time first-team All-HAAC selection, he went unselected in this year's draft. Joining the Patriots as a rookie free agent in May, he caught a team-leading 10 passes for 81 yards in the preseason.

DeGennaro, 25, played college football at Maryland, Richmond and James Madison. Despite his experience and a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, he took the free agency route to the NFL and New England specifically. A depth option throughout the summer, he ended up playing in three preseason games and caught five passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Dorner, 22, began his college career at Division II Shepherd University before a one-year stint at North Texas. Despite some solid production in his lone season in Division I, he was not selected in this year's draft. He joined the Patriots as a UDFA, and in three preseason games caught four passes for 37 yards.

Dippre, 24, spent his college career at Alabama before arriving in New England as a rookie free agent last offseason. Initially a practice squad player, he was promoted to the 53-man roster in November to prevent other teams from poaching him. He eventually finished the year on the active team and played a combined 46 snaps on offense and special teams over his two in-game appearances. Dippre started this year's training camp on the PUP list, and caught two preseason passes for 21 yards after his return.

Metz, 29, started his football career at the amateur level in Germany. He later played college football in Cincinnati and through stints with the Bears and Buccaneers found his way to New England in 2025. An exempt practice squad player due to his international status, he was re-signed by the team in the offseason and carried on the roster as a 91st player.

Dalcourt, 25, also played college football at Alabama. He joined the Ravens as a rookie free agent in 2024 and via subsequent stints in Washington, Carolina and Cleveland made his way to New England. He played 25 offensive snaps over his two preseason appearances as a Patriot.

Rizy, 24, spent his six-year college career at Harvard and Florida State, where he started 27 total games and saw action all over the offensive line. He ultimately did not get selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, but made his way to Foxborough shortly thereafter. Serving as the Patriots' third-string center, he played 155 preseason snaps and started the finale against the Browns.

Morgan, 23, entered the NFL off of college stints at South Carolina and UAB. The rookie free agent signing ended up appearing in three of the Patriots' preseason games, but was on the field for only 40 combined snaps as a third-string option at guard.

Holmes, 24, split his college career between Maine and James Madison. He did not hear his name called in this year's draft and instead joined the Patriots as a rookie free agent two weeks later. While he did show some flashes early in camp, an undisclosed injury has kept him out for the last few weeks and prevented him from appearing in any preseason games.

Gainer, 26, played at Florida State and North Carolina before joining the Raiders as a rookie free agent in 2024. He arrived in New England during the 2025 season as a practice squad player and was later signed to a futures contract for 2026. He provided edge depth during the summer and registered one sack in three preseason contests.

Crossley, 25, spent six years in college. The Colorado State and SMU product, who was an All-ACC honorable mention in his final season, did not hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. He signed with the Patriots as a free agent shortly thereafter and spent his rookie campaign on and off their practice squad without seeing any game action. He was brought back this year as a depth piece at cornerback.

Dial Jr, 25, played college football at Georgia Military and South Carolina. He was then selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Patriots and remained the last player from that class alongside Drake Maye. He is being let go with 17 in-game appearances and one start to his name, all coming during his rookie season. This summer, he served as a depth nickel back.

Butler, 23, went unselected in this year's draft and earned rookie minicamp invitations with the Raiders and Saints. The San Diego State product remained unsigned until arriving in New England in early August, however. If he clears waivers, he will revert to the Patriots' injured reserve list.

With the first 13 moves now reported, New England's roster stands at 78 players. The team will have to move below the league-mandated 53-man threshold by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30.