Tyler Gaffney likely will spend his second consecutive season on injured reserve.
The New England Patriots waived/injured Gaffney on Wednesday, according to the NFL transaction wire. The running back hadn’t been spotted at practice since Aug. 1. If Gaffney clears waivers, he would revert to injured reserve.
The Patriots claimed Gaffney off waivers from the Carolina Panthers last July and kept him on their 90-man roster through training camp in order to store him on injured reserve during the 2014 season.
Gaffney’s release leaves the Patriots with LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden, Travaris Cadet, Tony Creecy, Jonas Gray, Dion Lewis and James White at running back. Only Bolden, Creecy, Gray and White currently are healthy.
The Patriots open their preseason schedule Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
