Patriots make decision on CB Alex Austin ahead of NFL free agency — and more

While the news of Stefon Diggs’ upcoming release dominated headlines, the New England Patriots quietly made another personnel decision.

Cornerback Alex Austin will not be tendered as a restricted free agent and enter the open market next Wednesday. NFL insider Jordan Schultz was first to report the news.

Austin, 24, arrived in the NFL as a seventh-round selection by the Bills in the 2023 draft. After relatively brief stints in Buffalo and Houston, he joined the Patriots in November of his rookie campaign and has since appeared in 29 games with six starts. He registered 31 tackles as well as an interception.

In 2025, Austin appeared in 15 of 21 contests but was on the field for only 11.2% of defensive snaps and none from Week 5 on. He lost his fourth position on the cornerback depth chart to Charles Woods early in the season, missed time on injured reserve with a wrist injury, and was employed exclusively on special teams down the stretch.

Austin entered the offseason as one of five restricted free agents the Patriots had to take care of. In addition to him, quarterback Tommy DeVito, offensive tackle Yasir Durant, defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy and linebacker Jack Gibbens are also RFAs.

The Patriots have until 3:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Mar. 11, to either tender them or let them become unrestricted free agents.

The Astros utility guy is in the WBC.

Arsenal and England forward Chloe Kelly is transformed into a Barbie doll as part of a special series to mark International Women's Day.

Inter Milan striker Ange-Yoan Bonny has reportedly recovered from the upcoming Serie A clash against AC Milan.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, Cristian Chivu expects the Frenchman to resume training tomorrow.

Ange-Yoan Bonny suffered a minor fitness issue in a 2-0 home win over Genoa last weekend.

Therefore, Chivu was unable to call upon the 22-year-old for Tuesday’s dull 0-0 draw against Como in the Coppa Italia.

However, the former Parma starlet will be available for Sunday’s mouth-watering showdown at San Siro.

Bonny Recovers for AC Milan vs Inter Serie A Derby

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal during the Coppa Italia match between FC Internazionale and Venezia FC at San Siro Stadium on December 03, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

With Lautaro Martinez still working on his recovery, Chivu finds himself strapped for options in attack.

Indeed, Marcus Thuram has been out of form in 2026, while Francesco Pio Esposito has only scored four times in 25 league games.

Meanwhile, despite often starting on the bench, Bonny has tallied five goals and four assists in 22 Serie A outings.