Muffing a punt cost Riley McCarron his job.
The 25-year old was one of two Patriots receivers to be cut on Monday — along with recent waiver claim Chad Hansen. McCarron was signed from the practice squad last Thursday when cornerback Duke Dawson was placed on injured reserve, but flubbed a punt return late in the fourth quarter against Houston.
With 4:23 left in the fourth quarter Sunday, the ball bounced off McCarron’s face mask, and Johnson Bademosi recovered for the Texans at New England’s 16-yard line. Six plays later, Deshaun Watson hit wide receiver Bruce Ellington for a five-yard touchdown that cut the Patriots’ lead to 27-20.