The New England Patriots continued actioning their their roster today, releasing rookie wide receiver Kobe Prentice and rookie cornerback Kenneth Harris while adding offensive lineman Jack Conley and veteran punter Matt Haack.
New England announced the four moves on Aug. 24, less than a week before NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players.
Prentice is the more recognizable departure. The former Alabama wide receiver had only been with New England for about a month after the Patriots claimed him off waivers from Carolina on July 25.
He also made a modest case for himself in game action, finishing with four catches for 47 yards through two preseason appearances.
Harris had been with the Patriots since May after joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State.
Prentice Showed Something Before Patriots Release
GettyTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 19: Kobe Prentice #80 of the Alabama Crimson Tide fails to pull in this reception as he is defended by Demetries Ford #2 of the Austin Peay Governors during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Prentice’s brief run in New England included enough production to make his release worth watching around the league.
He caught three passes for 40 yards in the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Colts, including a 19-yard reception. Prentice followed that with one catch for seven yards in New England’s 24-21 win over the Eagles on Aug. 22.
The numbers were hardly overwhelming, but he took advantage of the finite opportunities he received in a deep wide receiver competition.
Prentice arrived in New England after a winding offseason. He signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent in May following his final college season at Baylor, was waived in July and landed with the Patriots one day later.
Before Baylor, Prentice spent three seasons at Alabama.
Across his college career, he appeared in 38 games and totaled 86 receptions for 1,160 yards and 11 touchdowns, according to the Patriots. His best scoring season came in 2025 at Baylor, when he caught 26 passes for 380 yards and six touchdowns.
The Patriots had already seen some of his ability to create chunk plays during the preseason, but the numbers game at receiver ultimately worked against him.
Harris Exits Patriots Cornerback Room
GettySTILLWATER, OKLAHOMA – NOVEMBER 15: Kenneth Harris #23 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys chases down Avery Johnson #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats for a sack in the third quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Kansas State won 14-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Harris encountered a similarly arduous track at cornerback.
The Patriots signed Harris as part of their initial group of rookie free agents on May 8. He brought extensive college experience after spending three seasons at Arkansas State and three more at Oklahoma State.
Harris appeared in 59 career college games, recording 113 tackles, 28 passes defensed and three interceptions. He also showed positional flexibility during his final season at Oklahoma State, playing both cornerback and safety while finishing with 33 tackles in 12 games.
New England’s depth at cornerback made earning a roster spot difficult from the start. Harris came into camp behind a group of confirmed starters and several other young defensive backs competing for reserve roles.
Moving on from Harris and Prentice additionally allowed the Patriots to address two different areas of the roster.
Conley returns for another stint with New England after spending time with the organization in 2025. The 6-foot-7, 333-pound lineman gives the Patriots another option up front heading into their preseason finale.
Haack adds an experienced punter to the special teams room. The veteran has appeared in more than 100 NFL games and gives New England another option as roster decisions approach.
For Prentice and Harris, Monday’s moves end their current bids to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster, though both are young enough to draw interest elsewhere.
Patriots Release Former Alabama WR, Oklahoma State CB in Roster Shakeup