The New England Patriots have waived Chris Harper, who muffed a critical punt in the fourth quarter of their loss at the Denver Broncos.

Harper is an undrafted rookie out of Cal and will likely return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

The Patriots are thin at receiver due to injuries to Julian Edelman (foot) and Danny Amendola (knee), as the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Harper served as the No. 3 option against the Broncos.

The Miami Dolphins have claimed Quinton Coples off waivers.

Coples was waived this week by the New York Jets.

Mike Tannenbaum was general manager of the Jets when Coples was drafted.

The Chicago Bears elevated QB David Fales to the active roster from the practice squad, waived QB Jimmy Clausen and terminated the practice squad contract of CB Terrance Mitchell.

Fales was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round (183rd overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft. Collegiately, over two seasons at San Jose State (2012-13), Fales started all 25 contests connecting on 639-of-938 passing attempts (68.1 percent) for 8,382 yards, 66 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. 

Clausen was 49-of-88 passing for 407 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for a 65.9 passer rating in two seasons with the Bears, including two starts. For his NFL career, Clausen has completed 206-of-387 passing attempts for 1,965 yards, five touchdowns and 11 interceptions with Carolina (2010-13) and Chicago (2014-15).

The New York Jets have waived Quinton Coples, who was their first round pick in 2012.

Coples, an outside linebacker, had played just five snaps and didn't fit Todd Bowles' system.

Joseph Randle has been released by the Dallas Cowboys.

Randle had been excused from the team since last week to deal with what the club called a "personal issue." 

Randle suffered an oblique strain in his last game, which was Oct. 25 against the New York Giants, after just two carries. He lost his starting job to Darren McFadden.