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Patriots Defensive Tackle Given Positive News Ahead Of OTAs originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots opted not to replace veteran nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, who left in free agency, which should be good news for Cory Durden.
New England signed Durden to the practice squad after the New York Giants waived him, and he was promoted to the active roster on Sept. 6. He ended up making an impact for the Patriots as he even started in the Super Bowl.
So, after New England didn’t re-sign Tonga, Patriots insider Chad Graff of The Athletic believes it’s good news for Durden and his outlook on the defense.
“In a surprise move, the Patriots didn’t sign a veteran nose tackle to replace Khyiris Tonga,” Graff wrote in an article published on Wednesday. “Nor did they draft a defensive tackle. That points to confidence in Durden, who played well for the Patriots after gaining a bigger role in Week 10. He was used mostly as a run defender, but his 514 snaps a year ago were by far a career high. All signs point to the Patriots’ coaching staff remaining confident in Durden.”
Durden is in the second year of his two-year, $21.75 million deal as he’s owed $1.145 million this season, which is a very cheap deal for a starting-level defensive tackle.
Durden recorded 30 tackles in 17 games, including four starts last season. In the playoffs, he appeared in four games, starting two and recording four tackles.
New England will begin OTAs on May 27.
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