The Patriots initial 53-man roster is set.

The Patriots released 16 players, placed three on injured reserve, three on the PUP list and one on the non-football injury list to get down to 53 players.

The Patriots released S Joshuah Bledsoe, T Kellen Diesch, OL Liam Fornadel, LB Joe Giles-Harris, RB Kevin Harris, RB Terrell Jennings, LB Kobe Jones, WR Matt Landers, G Atonio Mafi, DE Jotham Russell, K Chad Ryland, S A.J. Thomas, CB Shaun Wade, WR David Wallis, TE Mitchell Wilcox and QB Bailey Zappe.

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They kept WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki and G Cole Strange on the PUP list, meaning those three players are eligible to return after four weeks.

The Patriots placed safety Marte Mapu on injured reserve (designated to return) and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (blood clots) on the non-football injury list (designated to return). They are also eligible to return after four weeks.

Finally, the Patriots placed offensive tackle Calvin Anderson and defensive tackle Armon Watts on injured reserve. They’ll need to be released with an injury waiver to be eligible to play this season.

The Patriots kept all eight of their 2024 NFL Draft picks on the initial 53-man roster, plus undrafted rookie safety Dell Pettus.

Among the biggest surprises to be released were Harris and Wade. Harris finished last season on the Patriots’ 53-man roster and was competing for the Patriots No. 3 running back role. JaMycal Hasty ultimately beat him out, and the Patriots kept just three running backs.

The Patriots were in a numbers crunch at cornerback, where they had eight roster-able players. Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden and Marcellas Dial, a rookie, made the roster, while Wade, who had been on the roster since 2021, was left off.

Kicker Joey Slye won the Patriots’ kicker competition with Ryland being released. It was a close competition until late in camp when Slye became the more consistent option with a bigger leg.

The NFL claiming period ends Wednesday at noon, at which time the Patriots would need to clear additional roster spots if they claim any players off waivers. Some of the Patriots’ players could wind up getting claimed, as well.

The Patriots pick third in the waiver process, so they have an advantage if they’re looking to add additional offensive or defensive linemen.