Report: Patriots release veteran defensive tackle several days before roster cutdown deadline

The New England Patriots have a few days to trim their roster from 90 players to 53 but got an early start Saturday, reportedly cutting a veteran defensive player.

Defensive tackle Carl Davis will be hitting the open market after being cut by the Patriots, according to Masslive’s Mark Daniels.

The 6′5″, 320-pound lineman was a steady and consistent presence on New England’s defensive line over the past two seasons. Since a concussion limited the former Iowa Hawkeye to just three games in 2020, Davis has played in 33 of a possible 34 regular season games, racking up 30 tackles as a key run stuffer.

Davis played deep into the second half of the Patriots’ preseason finale against the Tennesse Titans on Friday night, a frequent bad omen for 31-year-old veterans. Davis’ release may have been spurred by 2nd-year defensive lineman Sam Robert’s seven-tackle, one-sack, and three quarterback hit-game on Friday.

If Roberts, a 2022 sixth-round draft pick by the Patriots, has earned his way onto the roster, he’d be joining a group including Davon Godchaux, Christian Barmore, Lawrence Guy and Daniel Ekuale looking to wreak havoc on the middle of opposing offensive lines.

Davis’ early release may have been an act of respect and goodwill from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Mark Daniels writes on Masslive.

“It’s not unusual to see them cut a veteran before the cut-down day to give the player a chance at landing on a new team sooner rather than on a day where hundreds of players pass through waivers,” writes Daniels.

The Patriots will have until 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon to whittle its roster down to 53.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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