Patriots release WR K.J. Osborn, activate OG Cole Strange

The New England Patriots released wide receiver K.J. Osborn on Tuesday and activated guard Cole Strange to the 53-man roster.

Osborn, 27, has played in seven games (four starts) and has seven receptions on 18 targets for 57 yards and one touchdown. He has participated in 53 percent (232) of the offensive snaps. He has not played since the Patriots' 19-3 victory at Chicago on Nov. 10.

The Patriots signed Osborn as a free agent in March after he spent four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Osborn has 165 career receptions for 1,902 yards and 16 TDs in 66 regular-season games (34 starts).

Strange, 26, went on the reserve/physically unable to perform list on Aug. 27 due to torn patellar tendon sustained in a game last season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 17, 2023. He was selected in 29th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and became the Patriots' starter at left guard for all 17 games that season and for 10 games in 2023 before his season abruptly came to an end.

New England also signed rookie kicker John Parker Romo to the practice squad and released linebacker Keshawn Banks. Romo, 27, played in four games this season for the Vikings, making 11 of 12 field-goal attempts with a long of 55 yards, and seven of eight extra-point attempts before his release last Friday.

The Patriots' starting kicker is veteran Joey Slye.

Banks, who turns 25 on Dec. 21, appeared in the Patriots' last three games after being elevated from the practice squad.

--Field Level Media