FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots made a series of roster moves today.
The Patriots claimed DL Bruce Gaston off waivers from Arizona and rookie DL Kelcy Quarles off waivers from the New York Giants.
The Patriots traded Q Ryan Mallett to the Houston Texans in exchange for an undisclosed draft selection.
In addition, the Patriots released LB Chris White.
Gaston, 22, was originally signed by Arizona as a rookie free agent out of Purdue on May 12, 2014. The 6-foot-2, 310-pounder, was released by Arizona on Aug. 30, 2014. Gaston saw action in 50 consecutive games over four seasons at Purdue with 44 starts and finished with 131 total tackles, seven sacks, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Quarles, 22, was originally signed by the Giants as a rookie free agent out of South Carolina on May 12, 2014. The 6-foot-4, 294-pounder, was released by the Giants on Aug. 30, 2014. He played in 35 games with 28 starts during a three-year career at South Carolina, finishing with 105 total tackles and 13 sacks. Quarles attended Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy for one year prior to transferring to South Carolina.
Mallett, 26, is a veteran of three NFL season with the Patriots. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder, originally joined the Patriots as a third round (74th overall) draft pick out of Arkansas in 2011. He has played in four NFL games and has completed one pass for 17 yards.
White, 25, is a veteran of three NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills (2011-12) and the Patriots (2013). The 6-foot-3, 238-pounder, was claimed off waivers and awarded to the Patriots from Detroit on Sept. 1, 2013. He originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick (169th overall) by Buffalo out of Mississippi State in 2011. He was traded by Buffalo to Detroit in a trade for QB Thad Lewis on Aug. 25, 2013. White was released by Detroit on Aug. 31, 2013. Last season, White played in 16 games and finished with one tackle on defense and nine special teams tackles.
