Patriots Release Respected Veteran Running Back Sammy Morris

The Patriots have released running back Sammy Morris, who has been one of the most respected veterans in the locker room since joining the team in 2007.

Morris helped guide rookie running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley as they learned the offense and found their way as professional athletes. It seems possible that the 11-year veteran could return to the Patriots in the event of an injury because Morris lives in the Foxboro area and has plenty of experience with the offense.

However, he was the odd man out in this positional battle. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead remained with the team after each player broke out in 2010, and the Patriots spent second- and third-round picks on Vereen and Ridley, respectively.

The Pats also have Kevin Faulk in the mix, and Faulk will likely remain on the physically unable to perform list until midseason.

As of the time of Morris' release, the Patriots had also cut Eric Moore, Eric Kettani, Alex Silvestro and Aaron Lavarias, according to sources, and Markell Carter, Tiquan Underwood, Landon Cohen and Niko Koutouvides, according to reports.

With the expectation that Faulk, Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick are kept on the PUP list, the Patriots still have seven transactions to make to get down to the mandated 53-man roster by Saturday evening.