New England Patriots’ Josh Boyce close to getting cut?

He’s never said it, but Josh Boyce is probably tired of hearing about Brandon LaFell. If LaFell makes the New England Patriots roster — which is very likely — it might mean that Boyce does not. The 2013 fourth-round selection is working himself to the peripherals of the roster. But has he drifted so far that he’s now on the bubble?

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ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss will be watching closely to see how the Patriots use him in Friday’s game against the Panthers.  He writes:

"On a night when top players are expected to receive significant playing time, we’ll be watching closely to see how much time Boyce gets early in the game, both at receiver and as a kickoff returner. At receiver, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson and Brandon LaFell look to be decisively ahead of him on the depth chart. At kickoff returner, rookie running back Roy Finch has mostly assumed that role through two preseason games."

So where does Boyce fit? As the sixth receiver?

That would be the best way for him to make the team. And with the Patriots leaning away from the tight end position — and likely only carrying two — it could be a safe spot. Except that the Patriots suddenly have five viable running backs in Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, James White, Roy Finch and fullback James Develin. And they’re also expecting to carry three quarterbacks.

The roster math is getting confusing for the Patriots, but Josh Boyce would be an unexpected casualty for cuts.