FOXBOROUGH, Mass.- The New England Patriots announced today that they have released DL Anthony Johnson from the 53-man roster and released DB Vinnie Sunseri from the practice squad.
Johnson, 23, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Miami Dolphins on May 12, 2014, out of Louisiana State. The 6-foot-2, 295-pounder, made the Miami 53-man roster as a rookie and played in seven games, recording two tackles and recovering one fumble. He was released by Miami at the end of training camp in 2015 and was signed by the Washington Redskins' practice squad in November. Johnson was released by Washington on May 2, 2016. He was signed by the Patriots on May 9, 2016, and began the season on the 53-man roster. Johnson was released on Sept. 26 and was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 28. Johnson was signed back to the 53-man roster on Oct. 15. He has played in four games with one start for the Patriots and posted nine total tackles and two passes defensed.
Sunseri, 24, was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round (167th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Alabama. As a rookie, he played in nine games and finished with one defensive tackle before finishing the season on injured reserve. Sunseri spent the entire 2015 season on injured reserve. After being released by the Saints on April 25, 2016, he signed with New England on July 24, 2016, before being released at the end of camp and being signed to the practice squad.