Welcome to cutdown day!

By 4 p.m. Tuesday, every NFL team must trim its roster down to 53 players. Last week, the Patriots got a head start.

On Friday, they released 14 players — mostly roster long shots — and then waived young offensive guard Layden Robinson on Sunday with an injury designation. Entering Tuesday, the Pats have 23 spots left to clear either via release, trade or placement on injured reserve.

Candidates for IR include wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Efton Chism III and linebacker Jahlani Tavai. For a second straight year, teams can place up to two players on injured reserve during cutdown day with a designation to return midseason. Others placed on injured reserve before 4 p.m. will be out for the year.

Of note: any player with four-plus years of league service who r

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