The Patriots found a spot on the roster for safety Don Jones against the Lions last week after making him a healthy scratch in Week 11, but Jones didn’t have the same luck this week.
The team announced that they have released Jones, who has played in nine of their first 11 games this season. Jones, who gave up his No. 29 to LeGarrette Blount when the running back returned to New England, saw most of his time on special teams and recorded six tackles.
Jones was a seventh-round pick of the Dolphins in 2013 and played in all 16 games with the team as a rookie. He was with the team through the end of the preseason, although he did serve a brief suspension and underwent sensitivity training mandated by Miami after Jones made some Twitter remarks concerning Michael Sam during this year’s draft.
The Patriots didn’t immediately fill the roster spot and could bring Jones back to the practice squad if they are so inclined.