Patriots Heartbroken by Key Player’s Exit in 2024 NFL Roster Cuts

Patriots Reports from MassLive’s Mark Daniels, the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed, and Chris Price of The Boston Globe indicate that the organization waived running back Kevin Harris, wide receiver Matt Landers, offensive lineman Liam Fornadel, defensive end Kobe Jones, and safety A.J. Thomas late Tuesday morning.

Harris, 23, made a diving touchdown at the pylon in the preseason finale. The 5-foot-10, 225-pound South Carolina alum was vying for the third running back spot on the depth chart. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft at No. 183 overall, Harris started the last two seasons on the practice squad before earning promotions to the active roster. In nine career games with the Patriots, he has accumulated 175 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 37 touches.

Landers, 25, recorded a 34-yard catch-and-run in his debut against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night. He was claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Browns last week. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound speedster, undrafted in 2023 after playing at Georgia, Toledo, and Arkansas, spent his rookie year on the practice squads of the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers before joining the UFL with the Arlington Renegades and San Antonio Brahmas.

Fornadel, 25, joined the Patriots as a free agent in June. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound undrafted lineman from James Madison spent 2022 with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers before stints in the XFL and UFL with the DC Defenders. He started all 20 games over the past two springs and played 26 offensive snaps in New England’s  summer finale.

Jones, 26, earned a contract last week after a workout at Gillette Stadium. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound edge defender went undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2021 and had previous stops with the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers. Jones, who had two practice squad elevations, has logged 18 NFL defensive snaps. His most recent stint was with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Thomas, 24, signed with the Patriots in early August. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound defensive back went undrafted out of Western Michigan in 2022 and spent time between the practice squad and active roster of the Chicago Bears over the past two years. He appeared in six games, recording 19 defensive snaps and 76 special teams snaps before joining the Birmingham Stallions in February. His UFL contract was terminated in early August after tying for the league lead with three interceptions.

The NFL’s 53-man roster deadline is set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.