Najee Toran
FILE - New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung pulls on a glove while warming up during an NFL football practice in Foxborough, Mass., in this Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, file photo. More than half of the 67 NFL players who opted out of the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic are no longer with the same team and almost two dozen aren't on anyone's roster. The Patriots had a league-high eight players opt out, including safety Patrick Chung and fullback Dan Vitale, both of whom retired this year along with two other opt outs: Cardinals O-lineman Marcus Gilbert and Panthers linebacker Jordan Mack. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Half the players who opted out last year no longer with team

By Arnie Stapleton Jul. 30, 2021 03:55 PM EDT

Patriots sign 6th-round pick Bledsoe, re-sign Hoyer

May. 18, 2021 08:07 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — The Patriots have signed safety and 2021 sixth-round draft pick Joshuah Bledsoe and re-signed free agent quarterback Brian Hoyer. ...

Tom Brady-less Patriots are a brand new bunch entering 2020

By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2020 02:16 PM EDT
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-5) New Faces: QB Cam Newton, K Justin Rohrwasser, S Kyle Dugger, LB John Uche, LB Anfernee Jennings, LB Cassh...

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick enters the field for an NFL football training camp practice, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
Cam Newton era begins as Patriots turn page on Brady years

By Kyle Hightower Aug. 27, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

List of players to opt out of playing the 2020 NFL season

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 05:36 PM EDT
Players who have opted out of playing the 2020 NFL season because of the coronavirus: Arizona Cardinals — T Marcus Gilbert ...

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) watches from the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Hightower might be the most accomplished player to opt out of the season because of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
66 players opt out of NFL season due to coronavirus pandemic

By Barry Wilner Aug. 06, 2020 05:23 PM EDT

Marqise Lee, Matt LaCosse bring Pats list of opt outs to 8

By Kyle Hightower Aug. 02, 2020 07:47 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — The number of New England Patriots who have decided to sit out the season because of concerns over the coronavirus continues to grow. ...

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass. Belichick is being coy about his expectations for the quarterback position as his teams prepares for the start of training camp. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Belichick mum on plans for QB position as camp nears

By Kyle Hightower Jul. 31, 2020 06:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Foxborough, Mass. A person familiar with the situation says Hightower has decided to opt out of the 2020 season. Hightower’s decision was made out of concern for the health of his fiancée and child, who was born earlier this month, the person said. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Pats face challenges as starters Hightower, Chung opt out

By Kyle Hightower Jul. 28, 2020 11:27 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2018, file photo, San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon is shown on the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, in Santa Clara, Calif. McKinnon had another setback in his return from a knee injury. General manager John Lynch told flagship radio station KNBR on Wednesday , Aug. 28, 2019, that McKinnon's return to practice the previous day was "not encouraging." Lynch says McKinnon's recovery regressed for the third time this summer as he has tries to get back on the field. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
49ers place RB Jerick McKinnon on season-ending IR

By Josh Dubow Aug. 31, 2019 04:50 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Shon Coleman, center left, is helped onto a cart during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
49ers lose backup OL Shon Coleman to serious leg injury

By Josh Dubow Aug. 11, 2019 03:38 PM EDT