The Patriots released both Nick Folk and Justin Rohrwasser on Saturday, leaving a big question mark at the kicker position as the team cut its roster to the league-mandated 53 players ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline.
Folk was brought into camp in late August to offer some competition for the rookie Rohrwasser, who was drafted by the Patriots in the fifth round in April.
Folk converted 14 of 17 field goal attempts and all 12 extra points in seven games with the team in 2019.
After the draft, Rohrwasser acknowledged – after it was uncovered on social media – that he had a tattoo of a symbol associated with the Three Percenters, an extremist group associated with anti-government doctrines.
Rohrwasser reportedly had the tattoo removed this summer.
To get to 53, the Patriots released 22 other players on Saturday, joining the three – including Mohamed Sanu – who were cut on Thursday.
There are a number of rule changes in place for NFL teams in the 2020 season to account for the coronavirus pandemic. That includes the expansion of practice squads and gameday rosters.
That means many of the players the Patriots released could find a job within the organization, even if they don’t make the 53-man roster. Go inside the roster rule changes for 2020 here.
Here’s a full list of the players the Patriots cut on Saturday:
- WR Andre Baccellia: An undrafted free agent out of Washington, Baccellia did not have much time in Foxborough, having been signed on Aug. 29.
- TE/DE Rashod Berry: Berry, who went undrafted out of Ohio State, signed with the team in May.
- DL Tashawn Bower: Bower spent the end of last season on the Patriots practice squad. He appeared in seven regular-season games over two seasons for the Vikings.
- OL Ben Braden: Braden, 26, spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets.
- DB Myles Bryant: An undrafted rookie out of Washington, Bryant earned the nickname “I.T.” from Devin and Jason McCourty because of his similarities to former Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas. He’s another name to watch for the practice squad.
- TE Jake Burt: Burt, a Lynnfield native, attended Boston College and St. Johns Prep in Danvers.
- TE Paul Butler: The Patriots signed the 27-year-old Butler on Aug. 17. After going undrafted in 2018, Butler has yet to play in an NFL game. The bulk of his professional career has been spent on the Oakland Raiders’ practice squad.
- K Nick Folk
- OL Tyler Gauthier: Gauthier, who went undrafted in 2019, has yet to play in an NFL game. He spent part of last season on New England’s practice squad.
- LB Terez Hall: Hall, 23, spent last season on New England’s practice squad.
- LB Scoota Harris: Harris signed as an undrafted free agent and received a $15,000 signing bonus and $140,000 in total guarantees.
- QB Brian Lewerke: An undrafted free agent out of Michigan State, Lewerke was a longshot to make the roster with three quarterbacks already in the room.
- LB Cassh Maluia: Maluia was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft in April.
- RB Lamar Miller: A former Dolphin and Texan, Miller tore his left ACL a year ago in an exhibition. In seven seasons, including playoffs, Miller has rushed for 6,029 yards and collected another 1,643 in receiving yards. He had signed a one-year deal to join the Patriots in August.
- DL Bill Murray: Murray signed with the Patriots in April after going undrafted out of William & Mary. As a senior last season, Murray blocked four kicks. He has 10 blocks in his career.
- TE Paul Quessenberry: Quessenberry had been out of football for five years, serving in the Marines during that time, before attempting to make a push to play in the NFL.
- K Justin Rohrwasser
- DB D’Angelo Ross: Ross missed all of last season on injured reserve.
- WR Devin Ross: Ross spent last season on New England’s practice squad and is a strong candidate to return if he goes unclaimed.
- RB J.J. Taylor: Taylor went undrafted out of Arizona.
- WR Jeff Thomas: Thomas joined the Patriots as a free agent after he went undrafted out of Miami in April. He is known for his speed and raw talent. During his three-year college career, Thomas was suspended multiple times for undisclosed rule violations. If he clears waivers, he could be an ideal option for the practice squad.
- DL Nick Thurman: Thurman was also in camp with the Patriots last year. He is a candidate to be brought back for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
- DL Xavier Williams: Williams has appeared in 44 regular-season games with the Cardinals and the Chiefs.
- WR Isaiah Zuber: Zuber, a rookie, spent three seasons at Kansas State before transferring to Mississippi State.
The Patriots had cut three players on Thursday: Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, defensive lineman Michael Barnett, and cornerback Michael Jackson.
Sanu joined the Patriots last fall in a trade with the Falcons for a second-round pick. He had 10 catches for 81 yards against the Ravens in his second game but injured his ankle returning a punt in Philadelphia a week later and was never able to recover fully or be a factor in the offense.
“I have a lot of respect for Mo, but ultimately things just didn’t work out,” coach Bill Belichick said Friday. “I think he tried very hard, I think we tried hard. I don’t think it was anybody’s fault or anything like that. It was just one of those situations that just didn’t work out as well as everyone hoped it would have when the transaction was made.”
Barnett, a rookie out of Georgia, signed with the Patriots on Aug. 24. Jackson was acquired in a trade with the Lions; the Patriots sent an undisclosed 2022 pick to Detroit for the 2019 fifth-round pick out of Miami.
Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her on Instagram at @katiemac.sports.