Foxborough, MA

The New England Patriots boosted their thinning wide receiving corps by acquiring Greg Salas from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for their late-round 2015 draft pick.

A fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2011, the 6-1 Salas played six games last season, catching 27 passes for 264 yards with three fumbles. A broken fibula ended his season Nov. 6 against the Cardinals.

The 24-year-old Salas was a three-year starter at Hawaii and was named to the All-American third-team in 2010.

Salas is already familiar with the Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' system after working together in St. Louis during his rookie season.

The Patriots have trimmed their receiving corps by cutting 11-year veteran Deion Branch, leaving Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Matthew Slater and Julian Edelman as the team's wideouts .

Instead, the Patriots went with four tight ends on the initial roster, with Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Daniel Fells and Visanthe Shiancoe.

It is expected that Salas will be the team's No. 3 receiver but he could serve as replacement in case Welker leaves next season to test the free-agent market.

In other roster moves, the Patriots cut ties with linebacker Bobby Carpenter and released longtime center Dan Koppen, who had been with the team since 2003.

The Patriots have also claimed former Boston College offensive lineman Matt Tennant on waivers.

Tennant, who enters his third NFL season, has appeared in 28 regular-season games over the past two years with no starts. He was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2010 draft.

The 6-4, 300-pound Tennant joins Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell, Nick McDonald and Donald Thomas as those on the roster who have taken snaps at center this preseason.

 

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