Just one day after their win over the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots decided to part ways with safety Elliott Davison, clearing a much-needed spot on their 53-man roster. This isn’t just a random cut though, it’s a strategic move that points directly to some key players getting back on the field for the Pats.
No Surprise Here, Pats Fans Knew This Was Coming
Let’s be real, Davison getting the axe on Monday wasn’t a shocker to anyone paying attention. The guy was a healthy scratch for the Dolphins game, one of four healthy bodies on a six-player inactive list. That screams “bottom of the roster” and “volatile spot” if you ask me. Plus, the Patriots had literally no openings on their roster coming out of Week 8. Zero. Now they have one, and you can bet your bottom dollar it’s gonna be filled fast. Think about it: wide receiver Mack Hollins and fullback Reggie Gilliam are both eligible to return from injured reserve this week. And offensive tackle Marcus Bryant’s 21-day activation window closes on Wednesday. So yeah, this move was less about Davison and more about making space for guys ready to roll.
Safety Depth Remains Rock Solid
Even with Davison out, the Patriots’ safety group is still in fantastic shape. They’ve dealt with depth issues all season across the team, but safety has been a bright spot. Team captain Kevin Byard and sophomore starter Craig Woodson are leading the charge, giving that unit a stability other positions can only dream of. Davison was their sixth option and only played a meager 10 defensive snaps all season, and those were late in a blowout win against the Raiders in Week 5. His departure barely moves the needle for the starting rotation. Right now, the 53-man roster still holds Kevin Byard III, Craig Woodson, Jaylen Reed, Brenden Schooler, and Mike Brown. The big question mark is Dell Pettus, who is still on injured reserve even though he’s been eligible to return since Week 7. If Pettus gets cleared, he and Mike Brown could be battling it out for that backup/third safety and personal punt protector spot.
Special Teams Impact Was Already Managed
Before he was made inactive for the Dolphins game, Davison did see most of his action on special teams, clocking in 57 combined snaps over three active games, a 67% share in that span. He played on kickoff coverage, kickoff return, punt return, and field goal/extra point block. But here’s the kicker: his roles were already redistributed versus Miami. So from a special teams perspective, his removal from the 53-man roster won’t have a notable impact because his duties were already covered. What’s next for Davison? The undrafted rookie from 2025 will hit the waiver wire. While there’s a theoretical chance another team puts in a claim for the 24-year-old, the expected outcome is that he won’t be picked up. If that happens, a reunion with the Patriots on their practice squad seems like a realistic option.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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