FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots reached the NFL’s 53-man roster limit on Saturday by cutting 10 players and placing three on season-ending injured reserve, including linebacker Shawn Crable.

The moves on Saturday were first announced on the team’s Twitter account.

The team was also made two trades involving tight ends, sending David Thomas to the New Orleans Saints for a seventh-round draft pick in 2011 and acquiring Michael Matthews from the New York Giants for a conditional pick.

The team released specialist Ray Ventrone, who has appeared in 17 games, 15 of them last year, with six special teams tackles. Also released were defensive linemen Titus Adams and Darryl Richard; offensive linemen Ryan O’Callaghan and Wesley Britt; defensive backs Herana-Daze Jones and Jamar Love; tight end Alex Smith, receiver Terrence Nunn and linebacker Paris Lenon.

The three placed on injured reserve were Crable (groin), running back Chris Taylor (shoulder) and offensive lineman George Bussey (knee).

Saturday’s cuts bore little drama after the Patriots released backup quarterbacks Kevin O’Connell and Andrew Walter, leaving them with only Brian Hoyer to sub for Tom Brady if he gets hurt again. Coach Bill Belichick said there was a possibility the team would add a quarterback, but also a chance it would go into the season with two.

The team also cut seventh-year linebacker Vinny Ciurciu on Friday, along with guard Billy Yates, receiver Robert Ortiz, safety Roderick Rogers, and defensive lineman Stephen Williams.


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