An offseason that featured a near-complete overhaul of the Patriots’ cornerback corps has continued into the season, with the team parting ways with veteran corner Bradley Fletcher, a source informed ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter link).
Fletcher signed a one-year, $2.5MM deal with the Patriots in March, and played in two games for the team this season. He had been dealing with a hamstring injury.
The ailment isn’t believed to be serious, but Fletcher wouldn’t have played against the Cowboys on Sunday, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (on Twitter).
The Patriots promoted safety Brandon King from their practice squad to fill the roster spot, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.
New England’s been getting by with a previously maligned cornerback crew after losing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner this offseason. The team’s parted ways with several veteran cornerbacks since, but Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and Tarell Brown will lead the group against the Cowboys on Sunday.
The 29-year-old corner has started in 54 games in his seven-year career, the latest steady lineup stints coming with the Eagles in 2013-14. Prior to that, Fletcher, a third-round draft choice of the Rams in 2009, started throughout his second season in St. Louis.
Fletcher’s started 54 games in his career.
The Patriots lost most of their top cornerbacks in the offseason, and the veteran free agents they signed this offseason haven’t really worked out — Robert McClain was cut before the season, and now Fletcher too. Pretty impressive that the secondary has held its own so far, but I could see that being a potential issue against some top quarterbacks as the season goes on.