Tebow, Mesko Among 13 Cut By Patriots; Adrian Wilson Placed On IR
BOSTON (CBS) - The Patriots cut 13 players on Saturday to trim their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players, with Tim Tebow and punter Zoltan Mesko the biggest names now without a job.
The Patriots also placed veteran safety Adrian Wilson on the season-ending injured reserve. The 33-year-old Wilson signed with the Patriots in the offseason after spending his first 12 NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
For Tebow, he just didn't do enough to warrant a roster spot in the end. He was up and down during the preseason, finishing 11-for-30 for 145 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the three games he played. He rushed for 91 yards on 16 carries, but was also sacked four times.
Read: Patriots Cut QB Tim Tebow
It was believed the Patriots brought Tebow in as a project for Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels, and they would let the quarterback grow under Tom Brady over the next few years. But, with Rob Gronkowski making the active roster and not being placed on the PUP list, roster spots were at a premium for the Patriots.
So now, the team will carry just two quarterbacks for the fourth time in the last five years.
Mesko's release is also a bit of a surprise, although financially it makes sense. Mesko was due to make $1.4 million this season, and with rookie punter Ryan Allen -- who looked impressive during the preseason -- the Patriots will save nearly $1 million off the salary cap.
Read: Mesko Thanks Patriots After Release
Here is the full list of players released by the Patriots on Saturday:
DL Jermaine Cunnngham
DL Justin Francis
DL Marcus Forston
LB Jeff Tarpinian
LB Ja'Gared Davis
S Kanorris Davis
DB Justin Green
DB Stephon Morris
OL Chris McDonald
WR Quentin Sims
RB George Winn
QB Tim Tebow
P Zoltan Mesko
With Saturday's roster moves, the Patriots currently have 51 players on the roster. Look for them to make a few moves this week leading up to their opener in Buffalo next Sunday.
