Rutgers product and New Jersey native Tiquan Underwood won't play in the Super Bowl after all.

The New England Patriots cut the wide receiver today, less than 24 hours before they play the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

The move makes it more likely that Chad Ochocinco will be active Sunday.

It also cleared a roster spot for the Patriots to promote defensive end Alex Silvestro — another former Rutgers player — from the practice squad.

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Underwood — who had been turning heads this week in Indianapolis with his throwback '80s-styled haircut — reacted to the news on Twitter.

"This Is Nothing But MOTIVATION...." he tweeted.

This isn't the first time he's been cut this season. Underwood — who starred at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville — spent his first two NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was waived in August. The Patriots signed him on Aug. 29, only to cut him four days later.

New England brought him back Nov. 8, released him Nov. 12 and resigned him again Nov. 23. He had three catches in five games this season.

"I Been Thru A LOT...But There Are Ppl In This World w/ More Serious Problems So I Cant Hang The Head....Thank You Lord," Underwood tweeted tonight.

As for Ochocinco, his first season with the Patriots has been rough. He had a career-low 15 catches and was inactive for New England's win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship two weeks ago.

He has never played in a Super Bowl.

The Patriots' other wide receivers are Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.