Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reported on Friday that ProFootballTalk, NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora and ESPN's Adam Schefter are all reporting that the Patriots have released defensive lineman Damione Lewis, which comes one day before the team has to cut down to the mandatory 53-man roster limit.
Lewis had been considered to be a journey man who was hoping to give the Patriots an additional veteran presence on the defensive line, as well as a potential pass rush threat. So far this preseason he appears to have struggled, and really never made an impact.
Head coach Bill Belichick has a history of trying to release veterans as soon as he realizes things aren't working out, which he does in hopes of giving them as much time as possible to catch on with another team. Hopefully for Lewis' sake he can be a better fit in someone else's defense and land on his feet elsewhere.
He's a former first round draft choice taken back in 2001 by the St. Louis Rams, and was signed by New England back on April 10, 2010.
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