Patriots Release Veterans, Prepare for Divisional Round Depth Amid Gonzalez Injury
New England released RB D’Ernest Johnson from the active roster and OL Sebastian Gutierrez from the practice squad after their wild-card win over the Chargers, freeing roster space as the team weighs activating CB Alex Austin and potentially restoring CB Miles Battle, given Christian Gonzalez’s concussion protocol status ahead of a divisional-round matchup; with only Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson at running back, the Patriots could elevate practice squad RB Elijah Mitchell for postseason depth.