Overview
- Multiple outlets reported on Monday that New England placed Bryce Baringer on waivers after moving off his injured-reserve designation.
- Baringer, a 2023 sixth-round pick who served as the Patriots’ primary punter for three seasons, is fully healthy after a preseason injury but will not be activated to the active roster.
- The Patriots elevated Mitch Wishnowsky in September and have kept him as the game-day punter while he averaged roughly 47 yards per punt through seven games.
- Team decision-makers cited a finite number of injured-reserve return slots and ongoing roster injury pressure as the practical reason they could not hold a spot for Baringer.
- If unclaimed on waivers Baringer could sign elsewhere or return to New England on the practice squad, and the club’s coach left open the possibility of bringing him back if a need later develops.