Patriots waive veteran running back

For the second time this year, the Patriots have cut Ty Montgomery. Unlike the team’s decision to leave the versatile veteran off its 53-man roster in August, Montgomery will be exposed to waivers.

To make room for waiver claim Christian Elliss, the Patriots will move Montgomery off the roster Friday, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss passes along. Montgomery has been with the Patriots since 2022.

New England claimed JaMycal Hasty off waivers from Jacksonville last month, and Reiss suggested the younger player was a threat to Montgomery’s roster spot. After Montgomery was part of a Pats special teams unit that allowed a blocked punt in the team’s upset win over the Steelers, the former third-round pick will hit the waiver wire. A Montgomery claim will not process until Monday.

The Pats gave Montgomery a two-year, $3.6M deal in 2022, bringing the receiving specialist to town after he had bounced around the league. Best known for his time with the Packers, the 30-year-old veteran has also spent time with the Ravens, Jets and Saints since going off the 2015 draft board 94th overall.

While Montgomery logged 11 starts from 2016-17 in Green Bay, he has been used as an off-the-bench weapon on offense and in the return game. The Stanford alum resided as the Pats’ primary kick returner this season. The team kept Montgomery around despite his one-game 2022 – a season shortened by injury – and could sign him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers. But Montgomery has offered minimal contributions on offense (eight touches, 49 yards this season) since joining the Patriots.

New England will make this move with Rhamondre Stevenson on the shelf with a high ankle sprain. This has moved summer signing Ezekiel Elliott back into a lead role. Elliott and Hasty are the only healthy RBs on the Pats’ 53-man roster presently. Second-year back Kevin Harris played as a practice squad elevation Thursday night.