Patriots Release Punter Bryce Baringer After Three Seasons
New England's punter for the past three years is healthy after a season-opening stint on injured reserve, but the team is moving on and sticking with Mitch Wishnowsky
The Patriots are releasing punter Bryce Baringer, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday. Baringer has spent the entire season on injured reserve but is now healthy.
Baringer had been New England's punter for the previous three seasons. Instead of using a return designation to bring him back, the Patriots are cutting ties and keeping Mitch Wishnowsky, who has handled the job all year.
The #Patriots are releasing their punter of the previous three season, Bryce Baringer, source says. He’s been on Injured Reserve, but is healthy now.View on X →
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): The #Patriots are releasing their punter of the previous three season, Bryce Baringer, source says. He’s been on Injured Reserve, but is healthy now.
The roster math helped make the decision. As Patriots reporter Taylor Kyles noted, the Patriots have several starters on IR with limited return designations available, and Wishnowsky punted well while Baringer was out. Spending one of those designations on a punter when the replacement is performing didn't make sense for a 4-3 team that has already put WR Romeo Doubs on IR and hopes to get him back later this season.
Baringer is free to sign elsewhere. Wishnowsky will keep punting when the Patriots visit the Dolphins on Sunday.