EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Chukwuma Okorafor’s deadline to return to the Patriots after being placed on the left squad list has passed, meaning he cannot return to the team this season.

Okorafor was placed on the exempt/left squad list on Saturday. Since five days have passed, he’s been moved to the reserve/left squad list. He does not take up a spot on the Patriots 53-man roster, and his contract will toll. If Okorafor decides to return to football, it would need to be with the Patriots unless they release him.

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Okorafor started the Patriots’ Week 1 win over the Bengals but lasted just 12 plays before being benched for Vederian Lowe mid-series. He practiced with the Patriots leading up to their Week 2 loss to the Seahawks but left the team the day before that contest.

Now, his season with the Patriots is over. Lowe was ruled out with a knee injury prior to Week 3, so the Patriots will have their third starting left tackle in as many weeks with rookie Caedan Wallace expected to take over as a starter. The team also has Demontrey Jacobs on their 53-man roster.