Patriots get good news on rookie, make surprise cut in Week 1 roster moves

Patriots get good news on rookie, make surprise cut in Week 1 roster moves
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during a news conference following a preseason NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)AP

The Patriots made a handful of roster moves, including an unexpected cut on Saturday and got good news on one injured player.

The Patriots signed defensive tackle Cory Durden to their 53-man roster from the practice squad and released Jeremiah Pharms Jr., a former defensive starter, who played in 16 games and made five starts last year.

They elevated defensive back Corey Ballentine and linebacker Mark Robinson from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Left tackle Will Campbell, New England’s first-round pick, is officially questionable for the Patriots opener against the Raiders, but according to Jordan Schultz, he’s on track to make his NFL debut on Sunday.

Schultz tweeted:

“#Patriots rookie OT Will Campbell, listed as questionable (ankle), is on track to play Sunday vs the #Raiders, per league source

The fact that the Patriots didn’t elevate an offensive lineman from their practice squad supports that report.

The Patriots face the Raiders on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.

With Christian Gonzalez already ruled out, Ballantine’s elevation wasn’t a surprise.

Ballentine, 29, has played seven NFL seasons after the Giants selected him in the sixth round in 2019. He has played in 69 NFL games, including 11 starts. He also has special teams experience.

While Robinson is a linebacker, he evolved as a key special teams player in three seasons with the Steelers and played every game in 2023 and 2024, and made 36 tackles over the past two seasons. That’s likely the role he’s being elevated to play on Sunday.

The 5-foot-11, 236-pound 26-year-old was a seventh-round pick out of Mississippi in 2022.

The Patriots signed Durden, 26, to their practice squad on Aug. 28 after he was released by the Lions on cutdown day. He spent time on the Rams’ active roster last year.

  • What did Bill Belichick say when asked about banning the Patriots from UNC?
  • Patriots rule another cornerback out vs. Raiders
  • 5 things to watch in Patriots’ season opener vs. Raiders
  • Patriots host 3 tight ends for tryouts, including ex-Bills 6-foot-7 pass catcher

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Related Posts

PACKERS SHOCK WAVES: Green Bay just made a bold free agency move that has fans reeling, and the ripple effects are already sending chatter across the league. What looked like a calculated risk is now sparking debates, excitement, and a fresh sense of possibility for a team desperate to redefine its identity 👇👇👇

Packers Stun Fans With Bold Move in Free Agency Shake-Up Rasheed Walker’s exit from the Packers not only frees up $10 million in cap space but also…

CHIEFS HEARTBREAK: Kansas City just saw a beloved veteran star slip into a rival’s hands, and the shock is hitting fans and the locker room like a punch to the gut. What was once a trusted cornerstone of the team is suddenly gone, leaving a void that goes beyond stats, and the heartbreak is felt in every corner of Chiefs Kingdom 👇👇👇

Derrick Nnadi Begins a New Chapter as Chiefs Era Ends and Colts Welcome Veteran Presence The Kansas City Chiefs are officially turning the page on a long…

COWBOYS GO ALL IN: Dallas is plotting bold moves to right the ship after last season’s struggles, and the team’s plans are already sending waves through fans desperate for a turnaround. What starts as offseason whispers could soon reshape the roster and set the tone for a comeback season 👇👇👇

The Dallas Cowboys have been making waves this offseason, setting the stage for what could be an exciting 2026 NFL campaign. While they’ve already made some strategic…

🚨BREAKING: EAGLES SHOCK THE LEAGUE BY REJECTING A TRADE OFFER FROM THE RAMS THAT INCLUDED DAVANTE ADAMS AND A THIRD ROUND PICK. The bold decіѕіon ѕhowѕ Phіlаdelрhіа hаѕ no іntentіon of раrtіng wіth іtѕ 1,000 yаrd Pro Bowl receіver deѕріte the blockbuѕter рroрoѕаl. Acroѕѕ the NFL, fаnѕ аre ѕtunned thаt the Eаgleѕ turned down ѕuch а mаѕѕіve deаl to рrotect а key ріece of theіr offenѕe. 👀👇👇

The рhіlаdelрhіа eаgleѕ hаve mаde theіr ѕtаnce cleаr when іt comeѕ to one of theіr moѕt іmрortаnt offenѕіve ѕtаrѕ. Deѕріte growіng іntereѕt from ѕeverаl teаmѕ аround the…

🚨BREAKING: LIONS STRIKE FAST AS DETROIT REACHES A VERBAL AGREEMENT WITH A VETERAN 5 TIME PRO BOWL DEFENSIVE END JUST HOURS AFTER HIS SHOCK RELEASE BY THE BILLS. The rapid move has stunned the league as Detroit wastes no time adding elite pass rush experience to its defense. Now Lions fans are buzzing about how this unexpected signing could reshape the team’s championship ambitions. 👀👇👇

The&пbsp;Detroit Lioпs have made it clear this offseasoп that they are serioυs aboυt streпgtheпiпg their defeпse for aпother deep playoff pυsh. After focυsiпg early atteпtioп oп the…

49ers Stun Fans by Signing Star Receiver in Free Agency Shake-Up

Armed with strategic signings and key re-signings, the 49ers position themselves as a formidable force in the NFL’s evolving landscape. The San Francisco 49ers might not have…