LaCosse is retiring from the NFL, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

LaCosse went undrafted out of Illinois and spent seven years in the NFL. Between stints with the Giants, Broncos and Patriots he played in 34 games, making 40 catches on 60 targets for 403 yards and two touchdowns. LaCosse was a free agent and had finished last season on the Patriots' practice squad.

LaCosse reverted back to the Patriots' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

EDGE Analysis

LaCosse suited up Sunday against the Browns with Jonnu Smith inactive due to a shoulder injury. He saw nine snaps on offense but was never targeted. If Smith is unable to go Thursday against the Falcons, LaCosse will try to earn another shot to play.

LaCosse was elevated from the Patriots' practice squad in advance of Sunday's game against the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

LaCosse, who last saw regular-season action in 2019, bolsters the team's Week 10 depth at tight end with Jonnu Smith managing a shoulder issue and listed as questionable for Sunday's contest.

LaCosse was signed to New England's practice squad Wednesday, Andrew Callahan of Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

LaCosse was waived at Tuesday's roster deadline but will remain with the Patriots on the practice squad. The 28-year-old opted out of the 2020 campaign after catching 13 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown in 11 games for New England in 2019.

New England released LaCosse on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

LaCosse opted out of the 2020 season, and he will now have to search for a role elsewhere in the league. The Patriots are heading into the 2021 regular season with Devin Asiasi around as a reserve option behind Hunter Henry (shoulder) and Jonnu Smith.

LaCosse has opted out of the 2020 NFL season, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

LaCosse thus becomes the eighth player on the Patriots to opt out of the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 concerns. Now that he's unavailable, the members of the team's tight end corps are Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Ryan Izzo and Jake Burt.

LaCosse's depth chart standing will be challenged by rookie tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, Adam London of NESN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Moreover, London suggests that either LaCosse or Ryan Izzo may not stick with the team in the wake of the Patriots doubling-down on Asiasi and Keene in Round 3 of this past week's NFL Draft. In his first season with New England, LaCosse caught just 13 passes for 131 yards with one TD in 11 games, and it's possible he could be the odd man out, considering Izzo's utility as a blocker. Either way, between the added competition for targets and a looming transition at QB, LaCosse is off the fantasy radar as the 2020 season approaches.

LaCosse finished the 2019 regular season with 13 catches (on 19 targets) for 131 yards and a TD in 11 games.

EDGE Analysis

With Rob Gronkowski no longer in the mix, LaCosse, Ben Watson and Ryan Izzo handled the Patriots' tight end duties in 2019. Neither of the trio came close to approaching fantasy relevance- and we'd expect some sort of makeover at the position this offseason, with Watson a candidate to retire. Meanwhile, LaCosse -- who was hampered at times this past season by ankle and knee issues -- is under contract with New England through 2020, but Jeff Howe of the Athletic notes that if LaCosse doesn't make the team next season, the Patriots can save $1.4 million against their salary cap. If he does stick around in 2020 and can stay healthy, LaCosse should be able to produce more, but with moving parts at both his position and also at QB, it's too early to assign him an accurate projection.

LaCosse recorded 46 of a possible 73 snaps on offense in Saturday's 24-17 win over the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

LaCosse saw just one target Saturday, but he made it count, turning it into an eight-yard TD. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Ben Watson was on the field for 31 snaps and caught all three of his targets for 15 yards. Neither New England tight end is a reliable fantasy option heading into Week 17.

LaCosse was on the field for 49 of a possible 65 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Bengals, en route to hauling in all three of his targets for 22 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, fellow tight end Ben Watson was on the field for 34 snaps but wasn't targeted in the contest. At this stage, it looks like LaCosse has overtaken Watson as the Patriots' preferred pass-catching option at his position, but that's not a high-volume role in the team's offense these days.