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Lamar Miller highlights surprise releases as NFL cuts down rosters

Yahoo Sports Staff
·6 min read

The New England Patriots must feel good about Sony Michel’s foot injury. The team made a surprising move Saturday, releasing veteran running back Lamar Miller, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Miller, 29, signed with the team in August while Michel was sidelined with a foot injury. Michel was able to return from his injury a few weeks later, and has looked good during practices, prompting the Patriots to part ways with Miller.

With the release, Miller now joins a fairly crowded free-agent market for running backs. He’ll have to compete with Devonta Freeman, Adrian Peterson and DeAndre Washington — who was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday — for opportunities. Teams dealing with injuries at running back — like the Chicago Bears or Jacksonville Jaguars — could call on one of those players.

That wasn’t the end of the Patriots’ moves, though.

Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller runs from the grasp of Washington inside linebacker Mason Foster.

Patriots cut both kickers

We officially have a winner in the Patriots’ kicking competition between veteran Nick Folk and 2020 fifth-round pick Justin Rohrwasser: no one.

The Patriots opted to waive Rohrwasser and release Folk on Saturday, officially starting over at the position with just eight days remaining until their opener against the Miami Dolphins.

Both kickers getting dropped is quite a surprise from Bill Belichick. The Patriots had invested real draft capital in Rohrwasser, a rarity for kickers. The team also retained Rohrwasser when a tattoo of a far-right militia group, which he pledged to remove, captured headlines in April. Rohrwasser wasn’t the only 2020 fifth-rounder to get the axe, as the Detroit Lions also dropped running back Jason Huntley.

Folk was signed in late August to compete with Rohrwasser. The veteran had been solid for the team last year, making 14-of-17 field goals and all 12 extra points.

Dolphins confirm Josh Rosen’s release

The 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft will also be looking for a new team in September. The Miami Dolphins confirmed they will release quarterback Josh Rosen on Saturday.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores spoke highly of Rosen, saying he is “immensely talented.”

Rosen was traded to the Dolphins for a second-round pick last season. He failed to establish himself as an essential piece, throwing one touchdown and five interceptions in three starts last season.

It’s the second straight offseason Rosen has been displaced by a first-round draft pick. Rosen’s time with the Arizona Cardinals came to an end after the team selected Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. In April, the Dolphins picked Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick.

Sean Davis, Mike Glennon among other players to be released

A number of other players were released Saturday, but the Washington Football Team was responsible for two of the more interesting cuts. The team parted ways with safety Sean Davis after paying Davis a $2 million signing bonus. The team also cut tight end Richard Rodgers, whose father is an assistant coach with the team, according to Ian Rapoport.

The Jacksonville Jaguars also released quarterback Mike Glennon, showing confidence in second-year starter Gardner Minshew.

In another surprise move, the Seattle Seahawks cut linebacker Shaquem Griffin.

The Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with former second-round pick Sidney Jones.

Jones, 24, struggled to stay healthy during his career, starting just eight games over three seasons.

Another past high draft pick to be dropped was Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Breeland Speaks.

The Chiefs’ top pick in the 2018 NFL draft, taken 46th overall in the second round, was among those released by the team. Speaks spent all of the 2019 season in injured reserve with a knee injury, and posted 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his rookie year. He also received a four-game suspension for substance abuse in Dec. 2019.

Packers cut Aaron Rodgers’ lock WR

One day after Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers called Jake Kumerow a “lock” to make the roster, the team cut the wide receiver. Kumerow received praise from Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur.

The Atlanta Falcons cut wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, a first-round pick in the 2016 draft, ending the opportunity to field 11 first-round selections on offense.

‘Hard Knocks’ stars released

The Los Angeles Rams waived two players who were featured prominently on “Hard Knocks” this season. The team cut rookie linebacker Clay Johnston, whose father, Kent, was a longtime strength coach in the league, including with the Packers. Johnston received a call from Packers legend Brett Favre during the series. Johnston could end up on the Rams’ practice squad after being selected in the seventh round of the 2020 draft.

The Rams also released cornerback Donte Deayon, whose positive attitude and jokes were a bright spot during “Hard Knocks.” He also could end up on the practice squad.

Adrian Peterson, Leonard Fournette remain the biggest names cut

While most releases will come Saturday, some prominent players were released a few days before the deadline. Running backs Adrian Peterson and Leonard Fournette remain the biggest names to be cut. Peterson, 35, remains a free agent. Fournette, 25, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday.

Other prominent players to be cut include Prince Amukamara, Dare Ogunbowale, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Mohamed Sanu.

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