UPDATE (1:25 p.m. ET): The New England Patriots officially announced they had signed Ryan Lindley and released Matt Flynn. Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Flynn never passed his physical, although he wouldn’t rule out bringing back the quarterback at some point if needed.
ORIGINAL STORY: It didn’t take long for the New England Patriots to fill their void at quarterback.
The Patriots are signing Ryan Lindley to be their No. 3 quarterback, a source told ESPN’s Field Yates. The Patriots reportedly cut Matt Flynn on Monday. Flynn remained on the non-football injury list and hadn’t practiced during Patriots training camp.
Lindley was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of San Diego State. He spent part of the 2014 season on the San Diego Chargers’ practice squad before re-signing with the Cardinals.
Lindley started the Cardinals’ wild-card playoff game against the Carolina Panthers, after quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton went down with injuries. The Cardinals lost as Lindley completed 16 of 28 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. He has completed 50.8 percent of his passes in nine career games for 1,314 yards and two touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
The Patriots open their preseason schedule Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers and needed a quarterback to back up Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. Brady is unlikely to play more than a few series in the Patriots’ first preseason game.
The Patriots’ No. 3 quarterback role is important this season, since Brady could serve a four-game suspension to start the year. The No. 3 quarterback essentially could begin the season as Garoppolo’s backup. Flynn could be back once he recovers from his injury.
Thumbnail photo via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
