A trio of Patriots players fell victim to training camp cuts on Wednesday, as the team announced the release of wide receivers Lavelle Hawkins and Perez Ashford and offensive lineman Nick McDonald.
Hawkins has the most NFL experience of the three, having spent the last five years with the Tennessee Titans. The 27-year-old posted career highs in catches and receiving yards in 2011 but saw action in just seven games last season.
He was released by the Titans on May 1 and signed a two-year deal with New England eight days later.
Ashford, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Illinois, had already been signed and released by the Browns prior to signing with the Patriots two weeks ago.
McDonald has appeared in 16 games for the Patriots over the last two seasons, starting two games at center in 2011 and one at right guard in 2012. He had yet to practice during training camp, though, and was waived with a “failed phyiscal” designation.
