Report: Patriots Won’t Activate This Defensive Tackle Off PUP, Ending His Season

The New England Patriots made a few expected moves, but decided not to activate a defensive tackle. Byron Cowart won’t finish his season with the Patriots. The 21-day roster activation window for Jarrett Stidham and Cowart was closing on Wednesday and the Patriots had to make a decision. The quarterback was activated on Tuesday, but Cowart’s status was up in the air.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed on Wednesday morning that Cowart will spend even more time on the physically unable to perform list.

Patriots won’t activate the defensive tackle, to make a few more moves

Cowart was a fifth-round draft pick for the Patriots in 2019. He saw action in 19 games in his first couple of seasons in the NFL. By his sophomore season, Cowart became the Patriots’ number four interior defensive lineman in spans played. Unfortunately, Cowart opened training camp on the Patriots PUP list. Why? We don’t know.

The defensive tackle returned to practice in October, but the Patriots decided not to activate him. Now we know that Cowart will remain on the PUP list for the remainder of the 2021 NFL season without being given a chance to be activated.

Belichick didn’t provide any additional information about Cowart’s status. He just said that Cowart won’t return and that’s pretty much it.

The Patriots head coach was more interested in talking about the quarterback. Belichick said Stidham was “trending in the right direction,” adding that the team would “see how it goes.” Of course, the Patriots have enough depth in the quarterback unit. Mac Jones is here and so is Brian Hoyer.

The Patriots have three other players who may return to practice off the PUP or NFI list. Linebackers Terez Hall and Cameron McGrone and defensive back Joshuah Bledsoe haven’t returned by this point.

New England is moving on with the season. Players were able to win games and their chemistry on the football field will help them make the playoffs this season. The team missed the chance to win last season. Let’s see what happens this time.