Patriots release Martellus Bennett

Greg M. Cooper | USA TODAY Sports

It was a short-lived return to the New England Patriots, as tight end Martellus Bennett was released from the team on Wednesday.

Bennett returned to New England late last season and played in just two games in which he racked up six catches for 53 yards, before being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

The release of the veteran gives the Patriots about $23 million in cap space, which will help in the event that they want to make offers to soon-to-be free agents Nate Solder, Danny Amendola, Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead.

Bennett’s release leaves the team with four tight ends under contract for 2018: Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister and Will Tye.

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