Patriots Release FB Danny Vitale, Sign TE Troy Fumagalli

According to Jim McBride, the Patriots have released FB Danny Vitale and signed TE Troy Fumagalli in a corresponding move. 

Vitale opted out of the 2020 season after signing in New England. His release leaves Jakob Johnson as the lone fullback on the Patriots’ roster. 

Vitale, 27, is a former sixth-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2016. He was waived a few months later and claimed by the Bills.

However, Vitale failed a physical for the Bills and was cut loose a day later. He returned to Tampa Bay for another brief stint with the Buccaneers before the Browns signed him to their active roster during the 2016 season.

Cleveland brought Vitale back on an exclusive rights contract in 2018 but he was waived with an injury designation coming out of the preseason and later cut with an injury settlement. Vitale caught on with the Packers practice squad and later signed to their active roster. 

The Patriots signed Vitale to a contract for 2020 but he opted out of the season due to the pandemic. 

In 2019, Vitale appeared in 15 games for the Packers and rushed once for three yards while catching seven passes for 97 yards receiving and no touchdowns. Pro Football Focus rated Vitale as the No. 10 fullback out of 10 qualifying players. 

Fumagalli, 26, is a former fifth-round pick of the Broncos back in 2018. He was in the third year of his four-year, $2.7 million contract with Denver when he was placed on injured reserve. 

The Broncos opted to waive Fumagalli from injured reserve with an injury settlement. He had a brief stint on the Texans’ practice squad before returning to Denver’s practice squad. The Broncos declined to tender him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

In 2020, Fumagalli appeared in eight games for the Broncos and caught eight passes for 80 yards receiving and one touchdown.