Report: Donald Brown Released By Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots' backfield remains somewhat unsettled, but one piece of the puzzle was let go on Tuesday.
According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Patriots released running back Donald Brown.
Brown, 29, signed with the Patriots in mid-March, after playing five years with the Indianapolis Colts and two years with the San Diego Chargers. Brown had been dealing with an injury during training camp that kept him off the field for both preseason games thus far.
The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe noted that Brown received an injury settlement from the team.
Brown was one of four former first-round picks acquired by the Patriots this offseason, along with Jonathan Cooper, Chris Long and Shea McClellin. Brown was drafted 27th overall out of UConn in the 2009 draft. He's rushed for 2,829 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt. His best season came in 2013, his final year with the Colts, when he ran for 537 yards and six touchdowns on 102 carries, adding 214 yards and two more touchdowns through the air. But in two years with the Chargers, he rushed for 452 yards total and one touchdown.
The release of Brown leaves LeGarrette Blount, James White, Tyler Gaffney, Brandon Bolden, D.J. Foster and the injured Dion Lewis in the mix at running back.
The team also released defensive end Frank Kearse, according to Yates, as well as cornerback E.J. Biggers, according to Ian Rapoport. The moves come after the team released three other players -- tight end Bear Pascoe, cornerback V'Angelo Bentley, and safety Cedric Thompson -- on Monday.
