Jalen Reagor’s time with the New England Patriots is over — and for self-inflicted reasons.
The Patriots released the veteran receiver from their practice squad on Tuesday. The move was made — and reportedly related to — a meme that Reagor posted to his Instagram story hours before his release. Reagor wasn’t elevated for either of New England’s first two games.
Why Did the Patriots Release Jalen Reagor?
On Tuesday morning, Reagor posted a popular meme showing a Bugatti sports car in a mobile home park. The meme can be interpreted in multiple ways; however, one interpretation is that the person posting the photo believes they’re too good for their situation.
Take a look:
#Patriots WR Jalen Reagor with an interesting post on Instagram 🤔
You have to wonder if the veteran wide receiver is unhappy being on New England’s practice squad.
(via jalenreagor IG) pic.twitter.com/Oup43SKaYw
— Carlos Talks Pats (@LosTalksPats) September 17, 2024
Reagor soon deleted the post, but he was released hours later. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald offered insight into Reagor’s release.
“Reagor’s release wasn’t the direct result of the social media post,” Kyed wrote. “The speedy wideout had expressed similar sentiments internally leading up to Tuesday’s roster move, according to a source.”
Reagor infamously was selected 21st overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was released after his second season, spent the 2022 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, and was with the Patriots all of last season.
Reagor began the campaign on the practice squad but eventually was signed to the 53-man roster. He caught seven balls for 138 yards while emerging as a dangerous kick returner.
The 25-year-old was consistently productive throughout training camp this summer but was released ahead of roster cutdowns. He rejoined the practice squad but wasn’t elevated for Week 1 or Week 2.
Reagor is now free to sign with any team.
Who Are the Remaining Receivers on the Patriots Roster?
The Patriots now have six receivers on their active roster.
- DeMario Douglas
- Ja’Lynn Polk
- K.J. Osborn
- Tyquan Thornton
- Javon Baker
- Kayshon Boutte
New England also has Kendrick Bourne potentially set to be activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after Week 4. Matt Landers is the only receiver on the practice squad.
The Patriots will have an interesting decision to make when Bourne is ready to return. Unless they want to carry seven receivers, someone likely will be cut.
Douglas, Polk, Osborn, and Baker are all safe. That means the decision could come down to Boutte, who saw zero snaps in Week 1 and was a healthy scratch in Week 2, or Thornton, who beat the odds to make the team but isn’t a difference-maker.
The Patriots will visit the New York Jets on Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.