The New England Patriots have released wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Source: The #Patriots are releasing veteran WR Mohamed Sanu. A surprise.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 2, 2020
Sanu was acquired by New England via trade with the Atlanta Falcons in Oct. 2019. He injured his ankle in his second game with the team, leading to offseason surgery.
In eight games with the Patriots, Sanu registered 26 catches for 207 yards and one touchdown. Overall, he didn't make the impact the Patriots had hoped when they dealt a second-round draft pick for the veteran receiver.
Sanu, 31, was scheduled to earn $6.5 million in the final year of his contract. Evidently, the team thinks they'd be better off using that money elsewhere.
According to Patriots reporter Tom Curran of NBC Sports, Sanu didn't exactly look spry at training camp, and he isn't surprised by the move to cut him.
“Unfortunately, and no offense Rap as you weren’t at practices, not a surprise as he just seemed kind of plodding out there. Large salary and that combined to make this almost expected,” Curran tweeted.
Unfortunately, and no offense Rap as you weren’t at practices, not a surprise as he just seemed kind of plodding out there. Large salary and that combined to make this almost expected. https://t.co/bqTWcZJDSg
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) September 2, 2020
Instead, the team will rely on mainstay Julian Edelman and promising sophomore N'Keal Harry as the top targets for quarterback Cam Newton (or Jarrett Stidham). New England's receiving depth chart also includes a slew of unproven players: Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd, Gunner Olszewski, Jeff Thomas and Devin Ross.
The Patriots added tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The deadline for teams get their rosters down to the 53 is this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. New England opens up their 2020 campaign at Gillette Stadium against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.
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