FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots cut two-time Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather as they trimmed their roster to the limit of 53 on Saturday.

Also released were running back Sammy Morris, a 12-year veteran, and wide receiver Brandon Tate.

The Patriots released 15 players in all.

Running back Kevin Faulk and defensive linemen Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick were placed on the reserve-physically unable to perform list. Fifth-round draft pick Marcus Cannon was placed on the reserve non-football injury list.

Offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger was placed on injured reserve.

Also waived were defensive linemen Landon Cohen, Aaron Lavarias, Alex Silvestro and Eric Moore; linebackers Niko Koutouvides and Markell Carter; tight ends Lee Smith and Will Yeatman; receiver Tiquan Underwood; offensive lineman Thomas Austin; running back Eric Kettani; and defensive back Ross Ventrone.

Meriweather was a first-round pick who has played in 64 games over four NFL seasons, with 244 total tackles and 12 interceptions. In 2008, he had a career-high five interceptions and earned the first of two straight Pro Bowl selections.

Morris spent four years in Buffalo and another three with Miami before joining the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent in 2007. He led the Patriots with 727 rushing yards and a career-high seven touchdowns in 2008.

Tate was a third-round draft pick who made 10 starts in 2010 and finished with 24 receptions for 432 yards and three TDs. He also returned 41 kickoffs for 1,057 yards with two TDs.