Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dominic DeLuca in action during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders in Baltimore, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New England Patriots tight end CJ Dippre (82) and quarterback Tommy Devito (16) celebrate after defeating the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
This is a 2026 photo of Dominic Deluca of the Baltimore Ravens NFL football team. This image reflects the Baltimore Ravens active roster as of Monday, June 8, 2026 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2026 photo of C.J. Dippre of the New England Patriots NFL football team. This image reflects the Patriots active roster as of June 3, 2026 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dominic DeLuca in action during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders in Baltimore, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
A pair of local athletes were among the final cuts this weekend by NFL teams, as they got down to the required 53-man rosters heading into the Sept. 9 season opener.
Lakeland graduate C.J. Dippre and Wyoming Area graduate Dom DeLuca were released by the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.
Dippre, a tight end, was signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent last season. He was initially a practice squad member and promoted to the active roster in November, appearing in two regular-season games. The 24-year-old was on the Patriots’ active roster for Super Bowl LX, but did not play in New England’s 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Dippre, who played collegiately at Alabama and Maryland, had two catches for 21 yards in the Patriots’ 37-13 loss to Cleveland on Thursday.
DeLuca, a linebacker, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Ravens earlier this year.
After leading Wyoming Area to the 2019 PIAA Class 3A title, DeLuca was a walk-on at Penn State. He turned that into a full scholarship and was selected a two-time captain for the Nittany Lions, becoming a force on special teams and a starting linebacker.