The Patriots placed an exclusive rights tender on Austin on Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. Austin missed eight regular-season games in 2024 due to an ankle injury. He returned in Week 12 against the Dolphins, and over the final six games of the season he accrued nine tackles (eight solo) and five pass defenses. Austin will likely sign the tender and return for the 2025 season, and he'll have a chance to earn the second starting outside cornerback job opposite Christian Gonzalez (concussion).
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Status
ACTIVELatest Alex Austin news
Team
New England Patriots
Birthdate
5/22/2001 (23)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 191 lbs
Draft Info
2023: Rd 7; Pk (BUF)
Birthplace
Long Beach, CA, USA
Position
CB
College
Oregon State
Experience
2 seasons
Career History
New England Patriots
2023-Present
(2 seasons)
Buffalo Bills
2023-2023
(1 season)
Houston Texans
2023-2023
(1 season)
The Patriots placed an exclusive rights tender on Austin on Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. Austin missed eight regular-season games in 2024 due to an ankle injury. He returned in Week 12 against the Dolphins, and over the final six games of the season he accrued nine tackles (eight solo) and five pass defenses. Austin will likely sign the tender and return for the 2025 season, and he'll have a chance to earn the second starting outside cornerback job opposite Christian Gonzalez (concussion).
Austin (ankle) was activated from injured reserve Monday. Austin's 21-day window was nearing a close, but he did log a set of full practices last week, despite remaining on IR. Now healthy, the 23-year-old should be on the field Sunday against the Dolphins.
Austin (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports. Austin will now have a 21-day window to practice with the team before needing to be placed on the active roster. The second-year pro was mostly used on special teams before the injury and once healthy he will likely return to the same role.
Austin (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. Austin had already been ruled out for the Patriots' Week 4 matchup against the 49ers due to an ankle issue before shifting to IR on Saturday. The second-year corner is now in line to miss at least New England's next four games, so Isaiah Bolden could see more snaps in the Patriots' secondary for the time being.
Austin (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the 49ers. Austin is dealing with an apparent ankle injury and will be forced to sit out Week 4 as a result. Marcellas Dial and Marco Wilson are two candidates to see an increase in workload at cornerback in Austin's absence versus San Francisco.
The Patriots re-signed Austin on Thursday, Zack Cox of New England Sports Network reports. There's no specifics on the 22-year-old cornerback's deal just yet, but he's headed back to New England. The 2023 seventh-round pick spent time with the Bills, Texans and Patriots throughout his rookie year, appearing in seven games. In those outings, Austin tallied seven total tackles and two passes defended, including one interception. Expect the young corner to compete for a depth spot in the Patriots' secondary as the offseason progresses.