Source: RB Brown among 3 cut by Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots released veteran running back Donald Brown on Tuesday, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates, as an early-camp injury ultimately doomed Brown's chances of sticking on the roster at a position where the club is thin.

Brown, who signed a one-year, $965,000 contract with the Patriots on March 17, was competing for a backup spot behind LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis, the latter of whom will open the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list as he will undergo a second surgery on his left knee.

Brown had pulled up in the fifth practice of training camp -- members of the athletic training staff appeared to be checking his hamstring…