There were no real treats but a few tricks for the Patriots roster on Halloween.
New England announced cornerback Sterling Moore was waived and defensive back Derrick Martin and linebacker Mike Rivera were re-signed Thursday.
Letting go of tight end Alex Silvestro from the practice squad was the team's final move of the day.
Moore, 22, rotated in and out of the secondary for every game this season, primarily as a nickel back. Whether that's where Martin will fit into the defensive backfield remains to be seen. He joined the Patriots Aug. 4 and cut at the final roster deadline. At the time, the 5-foot-10, 198-pound back didn't look like more than a camp body.
But New England needs help. Injuries to starting safeties Steve Gregory and Pat Chung necessitated moving cornerback Devin McCourty into that spot. The CB position was further thinned (at least in number) when Ras-I Dowling was placed on injured reserve less than one week ago, and again when Kyle Arrington left Sunday's game against the Rams with a head injury. There's been no update on the severity of Arrington's concussion; the team may prepare for the worst.
Who's left? Rookie Alfonzo Dennard and 28-year old Marquice Cole. If it tells you anything, Dennard played 63 of 63 defensive snaps last weekend. Cole played 20 in his best (and longest) performance of the season.
If the Patriots want to do even more roster shuffling -- but this time via trade -- to bring in cornerback help, they have until Thursday evening's deadline at 4 p.m.