FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that OL Thomas Welch has been released.
Welch, a seventh round draft pick of the Patriots in 2010 out of Vanderbilt, has had two stints on the 53-man roster after starting the season on the practice squad. He was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on September 12, 2011 prior to the season-opener at Miami and saw his first NFL action against the Dolphins. He was released from the 53-man roster on September 14 and signed to the practice squad on September 15. He was signed for the second time to the 53-man roster on October 1, 2011 prior to the game at Oakland.
Welch, 6-7, 310 pounds, spent the majority of his rookie season last year on the Minnesota practice squad. He was released by Minnesota on September. 3, 2011 and then was signed to the Patriots practice squad.
