It turns out that all our (O.K., my,)  speculation about why Hairston was released after the very first camp practice was way off base. Albert Breer at the Boston Herald reports that Hairston was released and then re-signed to put him on the Injured Reserve list. I'll keep looking around for more details on what coach Bellichick described as a complicated league rule, which is the reported reason for Hairston's release, and not any disciplinary reasons. I'm glad to hear that it was not any character related issue, and that maybe when he gets healthy, Hairston can contribute to the team.

Breer also reports that safety Mel Mitchell, who was injured early last year, has come off of the Physically Unable to Perform list and will begin practicing again.