Foxboro, MA – The New England Patriots released three players on Wednesday, including veteran wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins and offensive lineman Nick McDonald.
Hawkins caught 47 passes for 470 yards and a touchdown as a member of Tennessee in 2011, but managed just five grabs in seven games with the Titans last season and was released by the club in May. The Patriots signed the five- year pro, a fourth-round pick in the 2008 draft, later that month.
McDonald appeared in 12 regular-season games for New England last year and made one start at right guard. The 26-year-old also started a pair of contests at center for the Pats during the 2011 campaign.
New England also parted ways with wide receiver Perez Ashford, an undrafted rookie who had been signed by the team on July 19.
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