The Patriots failed to trade WR Joey Galloway and ended up cutting the ineffective veteran today.

Galloway, who had been inactive the past three games for the first time in his career, caught only seven passes for 67 yards in three games with the Patriots. He never emerged as the third WR option behind Randy Moss and Wes Welker, losing his spot to rookie Julian Edelman.

Rookie WR Brandon Tate, who is on the physically-unable-to-perform list, is eligible to start practicing with the team and could be added to the roster to take Galloway's spot. Tate has been rehabbing a knee injury, and on Friday head coach Bill Belichick said Tate's work has been escalated each week. Belichick said he would consult with the trainers this week to monitor Tate's progress.

The team also had cut TE Michael Matthews and LB Tully Banta-Cain in a flurry of activity before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, but both of those players could return. Also cut was LB Eric Alexander, who sources say could return with a long-term deal in place. The Patriots just rewarded WR Sam Aiken, along with Alexander a key special-teamer, with a long-term extension.