The New England Patriots continued reshaping their roster after the 53-man deadline, claiming tight end Cameron Latu and linebacker Darius Muasau off waivers as they prepare for the season opener in Seattle.
Late additions despite low waiver priority
New England picked up both Latu and Muasau after the pair were released — Latu from the Eagles and Muasau from the Giants — even though the Patriots entered the waiver period with the 31st priority slot. The moves came in the two days after final cuts as the reigning AFC champions kept tinkering with personnel ahead of their road opener.
Head coach Mike Vrabel framed the pickups as moves to add experience to the roster, Pats Pulpit reported.
Wider wave of turnover in Foxboro
The team’s recent activity is broader than the two waiver claims. The Patriots have added multiple new faces in the last two weeks, including trades for safety Jaylen Reed, running back Corey Kiner and offensive lineman Walter Rouse; signing linebacker Erick Hunter to the 53-man roster; and appointing Mitch Wishnowsky, Jake Kubas, Jalen Hunt and Jose Ramirez to the practice squad, Troy Record reported.
“It’s adding up to 10 new faces, and that may continue to rise,” Vrabel told reporters, Troy Record added, underscoring an ongoing effort to replenish depth after a thin preseason performance.
The acquisitions of Latu and Muasau close two more roster holes without waiting for the regular season to begin. Their additions follow a pattern of quick, late-stage moves designed to finalize depth options and situational pieces before the Patriots travel to face Seattle.
Voices from the newcomers
Muasau offered a quick reaction after joining New England, telling reporters he’s “excited to see my new opportunity in this new team,” and that he’s “thankful with a team that wanted me,” Troy Record reported.
The club has not released further detail about how Latu or Muasau will be deployed, but their arrival is part of a flurry of adjustments designed to give the Patriots more options across the roster as they head into Week 1.
With the opener in Seattle looming, New England’s front office and coaching staff have signaled they aren’t finished tinkering — and the additions of Cameron Latu and Darius Muasau are the most recent moves in that late-summer push to finalize a more experienced, deeper roster.
