FOXBORO — The Patriots waived cornerback Ameer Speed on Thursday, opening up a spot on their 53-man roster.
Speed, a 2023 sixth-round pick out of Michigan State, has played in five of six games so far this season. He’s registered three tackles in 10 defensive snaps and 73 special-teams plays.
The Patriots have multiple options to fill Speed’s spot on the roster. They can activate cornerback Jack Jones from injured reserve. They can also activate safety Cody Davis or defensive end Trey Flowers from the PUP list.
Davis could help fill Speed’s special-teams role with more veteran experience. Jones would likely fill a starting spot at cornerback if he’s ready to return from an early-season hamstring injury. Flowers would also help the team with injuries to Matthew Judon (injured reserve), Keion White (concussion) and Josh Uche (knee/foot) at edge defender.
The Patriots also could sign or claim an outside addition or promote a player from their practice squad.
The Patriots could wait until Saturday at 4 p.m. to make their next move to fill the 53-man roster spot.
If Speed clears waivers he could return to the Patriots’ practice squad. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound defensive back began his college career at Georgia before transferring. He’s one of the team’s backup gunners behind Matthew Slater and Brenden Schooler.
