Mike Wright joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. A history of concussions now threaten his career.
New England released the defensive tackle on Wednesday and also cut guard Richard Ohrnberger.
Letting go of Wright must have been a difficult choice for New England. He led or tied for the team lead in sacks in 2009 and 2010, but missed the final two months of 2010 because of repeated concussions and almost all of 2011 because of recurring concussion problems. Wright was due $2.1 million next season.
New England needs to add a lot of bodies to their defensive line this offseason. Wright’s dismissal creates another hole on a depth chart that is filled with aging veterans and free agents on the defensive line.