Patriots Cut Seferian-Jenkins; TE Dealing With ‘Personal Issues'

Austin Seferian-Jenkins' tenure with the New England Patriots is over before his first practice with the team.

The Patriots announced Tuesday that they have released the veteran tight end.

According to NFL Media' Ian Rapoport, Seferian-Jenkins is stepping away to deal with "personal issues," and it's unclear whether he'll return to New England or another NFL team.

The Patriots signed Jenkins to a one-year contract in early April after the Jacksonville Jaguars declined to pick up his option in February. The 26-year-old seemed excited to be playing for the defending Super Bowl champions and even predicted a repeat, but he was absent from New England's mandatory minicamp Tuesday and also missed organized team activities in late May.

Seferian-Jenkins' departure leaves Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo and Andrew Beck as the tight ends on the Patriots' roster.

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