FOXBORO -- The Patriots announced on Tuesday that they've released running back Travaris Cadet in order to make room for linebacker Jon Bostic on the 53-man roster. Bostic was acquired in a trade with the Bears on Monday, arriving in New England in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Cadet was signed as a free agent in the offseason and was considered one of the front-runners to challenge for the third-down back role vacated by Shane Vereen. He proved to be a dynamic athlete and a dependable pass-catcher early in training camp, but he suffered a hamstring injury and missed all four of the team's preseason games.
Cadet played in just one of the Patriots first three games this season, catching one pass for two yards against the Bills in Week 2 and serving as a gunner on the punt team.
The Patriots running back group now consists of Dion Lewis, LeGarrett Blount, Brandon Bolden and James White. The emergence of Lewis this summer and into the early part of this season likely made Cadet's presence on the roster redundant. James White -- who may be better suited a pass-protector and a runner between the tackles than Cadet, a former college receiver -- appears to be the Patriots choice as the primary backup for Lewis.