The Patriots have cut a quarterback for the second time in less than a week.

New England released Andrew Walter on Friday, along with five other players, as it gets closer to the mandatory 53-man roster by Saturday. Walter didn’t attempt a pass over the Patriots’ final three preseason games.

After waiving second-year pro Kevin O’Connell on Monday, the Patriots are running out of backup quarterbacks.

Undrafted free agent Brian Hoyer took all the snaps at quarterback in Thursday’s preseason finale, completing 18 of 25 passes for 242 yards with no interceptions.

Hoyer currently is the only other quarterback on the roster behind Tom Brady. But there has been talk of the Patriots pursing a veteran backup, and Jason La Canfora wrote Friday that New England has ammunition to make a move.

Walter spent the last four seasons with the Raiders after joining them as a third-round draft pick in 2005. He has started nine games in his NFL career and completed 174 of 333 passes for 1,919 yards and three touchdowns. Walter was waived by Oakland on July 30 and signed with New England on August 3.

The Patriots also released LB Vinny Ciurciu, WR Robert Ortiz, S Roderick Rogers, DL Stephen Williams and G Billy Yates on Friday.

• For all roster cuts, go to NFL.com’s transaction page

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