Patriots To Waive P Bryce Baringer

Baringer is being waived, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. He suffered a preseason injury which resulted in a move to injured reserve at the beginning of September. Per Shultz, Baringer is now healthy.

Instead of activating the 27-year-old, though, New England will move on in this situation. Baringer is now headed to waivers. He will become a free agent is no claims are made. In that event, Baringer would be a candidate to remain in place with the Patriots via a practice squad deal.

For now, at least, today’s news means veteran Mitch Wishnowsky will continue handling punting duties for New England. The eighth-year veteran was cut by the Bills at the end of training camp and immediately took a practice squad deal with the Patriots. Matt Haack had recently been signed at that time, but the Wishnowky addition resulted in Haack being cut.

Baringer has played 51 games during the regular season in his career, and he handled punting duties through New England’s run to the Super Bowl last season. He has averaged 47.9 gross yards per punt in the NFL so far with a net average of 41 yards. A waiver claim would result in Baringer’s new team taking on the final year of his rookie contract.