Patriots Cut LB Martin, Expected To Add Practice Squad Tight End

A day after placing wide receiver Aaron Dobson on the season-ending IR, with a high ankle sprain, the New England Patriots made another move today, as they cut backup linebacker and special team contributor Eric Martin from the active roster. 

The decision to cut Martin leaves the Patriots with 52 men on their 53-man roster, so a move is expected to come by the 4:00 pm deadline tomorrow. According to NESN's Doug Kyed, the Patriots will fill the void with practice team tight end Asante Cleveland.

The 6-foot-5, 260 pound pass catcher, who was acquired in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers midway through the preseason, was one of the final cuts made by the team's coaching staff prior to the season and has been with the practice squad ever since.

Cleveland has earned multiple practice team player of the week honors for the team, this year. In the preseason, he had 10 catches for 67 yards with the 49ers and Patriots.

The likely addition of Cleveland will strengthen the receiving and tight end corps that has recently taken a number of hits in New England. With receiver Danny Amendola being a game-time decision this week with a knee sprain and Dobson being placed on IR, the team is down to just two true wide receivers on the depth chart. The team's number two tight end, Michael Williams, who has been used primarily as a blocker this season, is also questionable this week after suffering a knee injury in practice this week.

Cleveland's ability to work as a pass catcher and use his big size to block along the line will most likely be utilized by the coaching staff this week, as the team's group of offensive weapons has been depleted as of late.