The Patriots made the surprising decision to cut Pharms ahead of their Week 1 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. After releasing Pharms, the team elevated defensive tackle Cory Durden to the 53-man roster. So the entire move basically felt like a swap of the two players.

The Patriots would make space for Durden on the game day roster, while also hoping Pharms would pass through waivers and end up back on the practice squad. Durden had a total of seven snaps in the Patriots' 20-13 loss to the Raiders on Sunday and finished with a 36.3 overall Pro Football Focus grade.

Pharms' return could signal an opportunity for him to end up on the game day roster in the team's Week 2 AFC East divisional road matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

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