FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots released rookie running back Earl Charles today.
Charles, 22, was signed by the Patriots as a non-drafted, rookie free agent on April 30, 2005 after leading the Thundering Herd of Marshall with 805 yards rushing on 178 carries last season. He played two seasons at Marshall after transferring from Fresno City College, where he had rushed for 2,751 yards and 31 touchdowns in his previous two seasons (2001-02).