Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Ocho active? Patriots release Underwood

Chad Ochocinco

New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco speaks to a reporter while sitting at his locker in Gillette Stadium at Foxborough, Mass., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. The Patriots are preparing to face the New York Giants in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

AP

In a strong sign that Chad Ochocinco will be active for Sunday’s Super Bowl, the Patriots released wide receiver Tiquan Underwood on Saturday afternoon.

The team activated defensive end Alex Silvestro from the team’s practice squad in place of Underwood. The undrafted rookie played in only one game all season.

It’s a surprising move, and unfortunate for Underwood. But we’re sure the Patriots will find him a nice place to watch the game. The Patriots must feel like they needed some extra depth on defense for Sunday.

Underwood is a special teams player and Ochocinco is not, but we’d be surprised at this point if Ochco isn’t active as the team’s fifth wide receiver against the Giants.

Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Matthew Slater, and Julian Edelman will all be active.