The Patriots confirmed late Monday that veteran safety Daryl Porter and rookie free-agent guard Howard Duncan were released prior to Saturday night's preseason victory over the Eagles.
Porter, a fifth-year NFL veteran from Boston College, had been competing at an extremely deep safety position. But with returning starters Tebucky Jones and Lawyer Milloy along with returning reserve Antwan Harris and free agent signing Victor Green, the safety positions could be one of the strongest on the team.
Duncan, an undrafted rookie from Oklahoma, was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 1st. He had seen little action on the offensive line in camp. With the emergence of players such as Stephen Neal, Adrian Klemm and returning players who saw the bulk of the action last season, Damien Woody, Mike Compton, Joe Andruzzi and Grey Ruegamer, Duncan simply never worked his way into the mix.
Neither player was with the team for Saturday night's game. With the two transactions, the Patriots currently have 81 players on the roster.
