Patriots add Cory Durden to the 53-man roster and promote Corey Ballentine and Mark Robinson, while Jeremiah Pharms Jr. is released. Durden has appeared in eight NFL games for 13 tackles; Ballentine owns 69 games with 67 tackles, one INT and two forced fumbles; Robinson has 34 tackles in 38 games with a sack; Pharms Jr. logged 28 games with 42 tackles and two sacks.

The club opens at Gillette against the Raiders, testing new interior and secondary depth. Durden could spell run-stuffing duties, Ballentine provides veteran CB depth and special-teams value, and Robinson adds linebacker versatility. Pharms Jr.’s departure tightens a crowded roster; early fantasy takeaways point to increased Patriots defensive depth and rotational roles rather than immediate starter production.

New England released Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and elevated Cory Durden from the practice squad, swapping one interior defender for another as Week 1 vs. Las Vegas approaches. They also bumped up Corey Ballentine and Mark Robinson, boosting depth at corner and linebacker. If Pharms clears waivers, he could land back on the practice squad, but Durden’s promotion signals the Patriots’ plan to rotate front-seven bodies and lean on versatile linemen early.

Green Bay cut Kalen King after a standout camp and productive preseason, choosing a six-man cornerback rotation led by Keisean Nixon. Corey Ballentine also exited, with Carrington Valentine and Kamal Hadden among the hopefuls to replace them. King flashed at Seattle, finishing plays and showing nickel-slot potential, prompting questions about a future practice-squad move or a midseason role

As the Packers lean on Nixon, Valentine, and the others, Xavier McKinney and Nate Hobbs injuries elsewhere heighten awareness of depth charts across the league. The exit underscores how youth, versatility, and special-teams value shape late-cut decisions in the NFL.

The Green Bay preseason setback against the Jets came with notable injury news on the Packers' special teams. Zayne Anderson and Corey Ballentine left Saturday's game with injuries that could test Rich Bisaccia's depth early this season. Anderson, who logged heavy special-teams work last year, left with a knee issue, while Ballentine was shaken up late and appeared to be dealing with a head-related concern.

With Xavier McKinney sidelined for New York, Anderson was the starting safety in the Packers’ nickel package alongside Evan Williams, highlighting how thin the depth chart could become if these injuries linger. Ballentine’s return to the lineup after a recent Colts release adds to the evaluation of Packers corner and kick-coverage units. The injuries leather into thoughtful early-season planning for Bisaccia and the defense, especially in the weeks ahead of the regular-season opener.