Cameron Meredith

Meredith was initially slated to miss six weeks with this knee injury, but he hasn't progressed in his recovery like the Patriots hoped. The 27-year-old wideout only played in six games over the last two seasons, recording nine receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown, so he doesn't appear to hold enough upside to justify another team picking him up until he's fully healthy.

Meredith had yet to suit up in any practices or games during training camp or the preseason as he works his way back from an undisclosed injury. With this placement, the veteran will now have to sit out the first six weeks of the regular season before he can be eligible to return. Now that he's sidelined, Phillip Dorsett and rookie N'Keal Harry will be first in line for depth receiving duties.

Meredith has been a shell of himself since sustaining a devastating left knee injury in August 2017, being reduced to just six appearances in his sole season with New Orleans last year. After he was limited in the Saints' offseason program this spring, he was eventually cut loose early in training camp. With the Pats, Meredith joins a receiving corps without much set in stone behind Julian Edelman (thumb) and 2019 first-round pick N'Keal Harry. Beyond that duo, the healthy options are Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris, Dontrelle Inman and Braxton Berrios. Meredith will be delayed in on-field work while he works his way through an undisclosed injury.

Apart from Julian Edelman (thumb) and first-rounder N'Keal Harry, the Patriots' wideout depth chart is fluid, so Meredith will now have a chance to battle for slotting with the likes of Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris, Dontrelle Inman and Braxton Berrios. His two-year stint with the Saints was marred by injury, but prior to tearing his left ACL back in August of 2017, the 6-foot-3, 207-pound Meredith displayed promise with the Bears during the 2016 season, hauling in 66 catches for 888 yards and four TDs in 14 games.