Patriots sign Bailey Zappe to 53-man roster; Matt Corral released
Patriots sign Bailey Zappe to 53-man roster; Matt Corral released originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots are signing Bailey Zappe to the 53-man roster prior to their week 1 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In turn, Matt Corral has been released by the team, according to Ian Rapoport on social media.
The #Patriots are releasing QB Matt Corral as the corresponding move, source says. https://t.co/Si3KH3tGJ5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2023
UPDATE (5 p.m. ET): The Patriots announced Saturday they've placed Corral on the Exempt/Left Squad list. Corral left the team without notice, according to the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed.
The Patriots are going back to their original depth chart with Zappe backing up Mac Jones against the Eagles, according to the NFL's Tom Pelissero.
Zappe played in four games last season and started two, completing 70 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Corral, a third-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2022 whom the Patriots claimed off waivers on Aug. 31, didn't participate in practice Friday and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia. Following his release, Jones and Zappe are the two QBs on New England's active roster, with rookie Malik Cunningham on the practice squad.
Zappe back on the 53. Corral off.
How’d we get here?
Zappe recently deemed not good enough to be protected from waivers.
Corral signed.
Corral not ready.
Zappe now deemed good enough to be a play away from running the offense.
Trying to make the best of a bad situation.— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) September 9, 2023