Contracts expire for four members of Patriots’ final practice squad

Four members of the New England Patriots’ final practice squad have become street free agents.

Running back Kevin Harris, wide receivers Alex Erickson and Braylon Sanders, as well as outside linebacker Jotham Russell officially saw their contracts expire on Monday, according to the NFL transaction wire.

Harris, 24, spent the entirety of 2024 on the practice squad after being waived at the 53-man roster deadline in August. The South Carolina product arrived in Foxborough in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft at No. 183 overall. He had begun the previous pair of regular seasons on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster. Through nine career games, the 5-foot-10, 225-pound running back stands with 175 yards and two touchdowns across 37 touches from scrimmage.

Erickson, 32, joined the practice squad in December and went on to serve as a three-time standard elevation. Handling 14 snaps on offense and 26 snaps on special teams, he averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and 26.5 yards per kickoff return. Entering the league with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2016, Erickson had stints with Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers in recent years. Out wide, the 6-foot, 195-pound Wisconsin alum has caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards and two touchdowns. His career also includes 1,344 yards through 166 punt returns and 2,835 yards through 114 kick returns.

Sanders, 25, signed to the practice squad at the end of October after originally stepping into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2022. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound wideout from Ole Miss spent his first two campaigns on the practice squad across the AFC East. Sanders was elevated for three games as a rookie, tallying 34 offensive snaps as well as a pair of receptions for 17 yards. He was waived from Miami’s injured reserve with an injury settlement to begin September.

Russell, 21, made his way to Gillette Stadium through the NFL’s International Player Pathway in May. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound converted edge defender did so as New England received a roster exemption. Upon clearing waivers, it carried over into the fall as the 17th member of the practice squad. By way of Australian rugby, Russell played for the under-21 teams of the Currumbin Eagles and Tweed Seagulls after also residing on the development squad of the Brisbane Broncos.

Veteran tight end Mitchell Wilcox, who was elevated for a third time as the calendar turned to January, was not among the names listed on Monday.

Following the season finale, the Patriots retained seven members of the practice squad on futures contracts.

Wide receiver John Jiles, offensive tackle Caleb Jones, defensive tackle Marcus Harris, linebacker Andrew Parker Jr., cornerback D.J. James, safety Mark Perry and kicker John Parker Romo are all under contract through 2025.