Patriots Release Under-Performing Linebacker In Roster Move

The New England Patriots needed to create room on their 53-man roster Friday when they claimed veteran pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue off waivers.

They did so by saying goodbye to a linebacker who started four games this season.

The Patriots announced that they waived Raekwon McMillan, who initially joined New England via free agency in 2021. But McMillan’s time with the Patriots was derailed by injuries. He missed the entirety of his first season with New England due to a torn ACL and spent the 2023 campaign on injured reserve due to a partially torn Achilles.

McMillan, who appeared primarily on special teams with the Patriots in 2022, got a bigger role in New England’s defense with the Patriots…