Update:
Ian Rapoport mentions that although the Patriots released veterans DL Tommy Kelly and DE Will Smith on Sunday, there is a chance that one or both players could be back after Week 1.
- Rapoport points out that neither player will have a guaranteed salary at that point in time.
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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the New England Patriots have released veterans DL Tommy Kelly, DE Will Smith, and LB James Anderson as they trim their roster to 75 players.
- Brian McIntyre mentions that releasing these three players will save the Patriots $3.565 million in cash for the 2014 season.
Smith, 32, signed on with the Saints back in May, but reports out of training camp mentioned that he hadn’t done enough to secure a roster spot. He was forced to sit out the 2013 season after suffered a torn ACL that he suffered during the Saints’ third preseason game.
Two years ago, Smith appeared in all 16 games for New Orleans and totaled 58 tackles and six sacks, but unfortunately was rated as the second worst 4-3 defensive end in the league by Pro Football Focus.
Kelly, 33, was forced to restructure his contract back in May, so there was a chance he could be released barring an impressive training camp. He had a base salary of $955,000 to go along with $800,000 available in per-game roster bonuses.
Anderson, 30, signed with the Patriots in early June and would have made a base salary of $855,000 for the 2014 season. Last year, he appeared in all 16 games for the Bears and recorded 102 tackles, four sacks, and a fumble recovery.
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