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Unfortunate News came to Foxbouruh on Tuesday, August 16, as Ian Rappoport tweeted that two Patriots cornerbacks will go on the season-ending IR.
Butler, re-signed with New England on March 24, 2022, to improve the depth at the position. New England originally signed Butler as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and Butler remained with the Patriots until 2017. After that, he signed with Tennessee and played for two seasons before signing with Arizona but then opted to retire. Butler has played in 100 games with 84 starts and has registered 405 total tackles, three sacks, 17 interceptions with two returned for touchdowns, 82 passes defended, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
The Patriots drafted Joejuan Williams in the third round of the 2019 draft. Thus far, Williams has been a disappointment only starting in 1 NFL Game and appearing in 36. Williams was already on an uphill climb to make the roster, and although no one wants an injury, he gets to stay on the roster for now. Willams suffered his injury while playing in the first pre-season game against the Giants, in which he struggled.
The Patriots had 11 players on their cornerback depth chart, but with News, they now have seven, with only two slot cornerbacks remaining, Marcus Jones and Myles Bryant. Jalen Mills and all of the Jones are projected to make the 53-man roster. While Terrance Mitchell, Shaun Wade, and Myles Bryant will fight for the last two spots.
*Jalen Mills
*Jonathon Jones
*Marcus Jones
*Jack Jones
Terrance Mitchell
Shaun Wade
Myles Bryant
*=Locks to make the roster
There will be no 2022 cap implications for these moves. Butler and Willams will have a little over 2 million against the cap for 2022. The Patriots will hold joint practices with the Panthers in New England this week, followed by a pre-season game.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
