FOX Sports Exclusive
Pats cut Underwood on Super Bowl eve
Tiquan Underwood enjoyed Media Day, but he's not with Pats for Super Bowl.
Share This Story
INDIANAPOLIS
Tiquan Underwood showed up at media day with the Patriots logo cut into his hair. On Saturday, he was the one cut.
Eric Gay/AP PhotoTiquan Underwood is drawing Super Bowl XLVI attention because of a different kind of cut.
The New England Patriots waived the backup wide receiver on the eve of Sunday night’s game against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Underwood – who arrived in Indianapolis with a Patriots logo shaved in the back of his wild hi-top fade – is being replaced by practice-squad defensive end Alex Silvestro.
Such last-minute roster decisions are common for the Patriots as the franchise shapes its game-day roster. A source told FOXSports.com that Underwood’s release was “totally a football decision” and not related to any off-field problems involving Underwood at the Super Bowl.
Still, the timing of Underwood’s release has come across publically as cold considering he practiced with the team all week as well as the magnitude of Sunday’s game.
Silvestro, who was signed as a rookie college free agent from Rutgers, will likely be activated for Super Bowl XLVI to provide defensive line depth. He played in one game this season, registering two tackles against Miami in December.
Underwood handled his release with class, wishing the Patriots luck on messages sent from his Twitter account. Underwood also said he will use this situation as motivation for the future.
“THANK YOU Everyone For Your Support & Sympathy,” Underwood wrote on a Sunday morning Tweet. “Im Fine, This Will Only Make Me Stronger...Tough Times Never Last But Tough Ppl Do.”
Underwood’s unusual ’do drew more Super Bowl week attention than anything he had done on the field this season. A third-year veteran from Rutgers who has bounced on and off New England’s practice squad, Underwood caught three passes for 30 yards in the six games he was active.
Underwood’s release makes it likely that tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco will be active for Super Bowl XLVI. Gronkowski was limited this week in practice because of a sprained left ankle suffered January 22 in the AFC Championship game victory over Baltimore. Ochocinco was inactive for that game but that may have stemmed from the fact he briefly left the team earlier in the week to attend his father’s funeral.
ESPN reported that Underwood will be paid his Super Bowl XLVI salary despite not being on the roster. He will receive $88,000 if the Patriots win and $44,000 if they lose.
More Stories From Alex Marvez
Trending Now
-
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Report: Duncan won't leave Spurs
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan said he has little interest in testing out the free-ag... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Angels ace Weaver leaves with injury
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver has left his start against the Yankees in the fir...
NFL Videos
Barfly: Combating Concussions
Posted: May 29, 2012
Warren Moon joins Kriegel and Carolla to talk concussions and the new Xenith hel...
Warren Moon joins Kriegel and Carolla to talk concussions and the new Xenith hel...
Schrager: Settle down everyone
Posted: May 23, 2012
Peter Schrager talks about Peyton Manning's first practice and Tim Tebow's contr...
Peter Schrager talks about Peyton Manning's first practice and Tim Tebow's contr...
Barfly: Analyzing African American QBs
Posted: May 29, 2012
Carolla, Moon and Kriegel talk about perceptions of black QBs both when Warren p...
Carolla, Moon and Kriegel talk about perceptions of black QBs both when Warren p...
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/792884/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_792000/ff_792884_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold |
| Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/799723/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_799000/ff_799723_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green |
| Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Arizona_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/800436/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800436_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red |
| Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/801105/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801105_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue |
| New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/803136/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_803000/ff_803136_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue |
| Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/819243/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_819000/ff_819243_xl.jpg&w=100 | 31.95 | Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Indianapolis_Colts/browse/featuredproduct/851313/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851313_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue |
| Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Washington_Redskins/browse/featuredproduct/851315/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851315_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy |
| Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Cleveland_Browns/browse/featuredproduct/851598/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851598_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown |
| Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/852589/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_852000/ff_852589_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.