The Patriots are waiving cornerback D.J. James, a source confirmed to the Herald.
James, 24, was a great story of training camp, ascending from last year’s practice squad and the bottom of the roster onto the team thanks to a strong training camp. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Auburn by the Seahawks then spent most of last season on the Patriots’ practice squad.
There’s no guarantee that James will pass through waivers after his strong summer. If he does, there should be interest from the Patriots in bringing him back onto the practice squad.
The Patriots currently have Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin and Charles Woods on their 53-man roster and Corey Ballentine, Miles Battle and Kobee Minor on the practice squad. Gonzalez missed Sunday’s loss to the Raiders with a hamstring injury. The Patriots elevated Ballentine, 29, onto the active roster for the game. He has since went back down to the practice squad.
James played two defensive snaps and five special teams snap on Sunday. Ballentine was a core special teams player and lined up opposite Brenden Schooler at gunner.
