Most significant move: Releasing running back Jonas Gray registered as a surprise, as did veteran receiver Reggie Wayne and the Patriots making a mutual decision to part ways. It was also notable that wide starting receiver Brandon LaFell was placed on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he isn't eligible to play until Week 7. Add it all up and the most significant development today is that the Patriots' wide receiver corps looks unsettled, with Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson and undrafted rookie Chris Harper the top four on the depth chart. If the Patriots initially projected LaFell would open the year on PUP, perhaps they would have made other contingency plans, so this is an area to watch in the coming days for possible alterations.
Three under-the-radar players emerge: It's always fun to see underdog players emerge and on Aug. 27, three of them were highlighted as possibilities. All three made the club -- Harper (California), undrafted center David Andrews (Georgia) and first-year outside linebacker/defensive end Rufus Johnson (Tarleton State). While the roster can still change, and players at the bottom could still be in jeopardy, this is a reminder of how Bill Belichick tells players that it doesn't matter how they arrive, they'll be rewarded based on what they do when they arrive.
What's next: The Patriots are back on the practice field for the second day in a row Sunday (1:50 p.m. ET) as they prepare for the NFL opener on Sept. 10 against the Steelers. With LeGarrette Blount suspended for the game, and Gray released, it leaves the team with just James White, Dion Lewis, Brandon Bolden and Travaris Cadet at running back. That wasn't the mix many projected. They'll also form their 10-man practice squad today.
Cuts: TE Asante Cleveland, LB Darius Fleming, RB Jonas Gray, CB Robert McClain, DL Zach Moore, WR Jalen Saunders, WR Reggie Wayne, CB Daxton Swanson, CB Justin Coleman, LB Xzavier Dickson, S Brandon King, TE Jake Bequette (injury settlement), RB Tony Creecy, WR Zach D'Orazio, WR DaVaris Daniels, G Ryan Groy, OL Caylin Hauptmann, QB Ryan Lindley, OT Chris Martin, LB James Morris, DLs Casey Walker, A.J. Pataiali'i.