According to a source close to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, New England Patriots DE/OLB Markell Carter has been informed of his release by the team.
Carter was a sixth-round selection in last year's draft, and was set to enter his second season with the Patriots. The 22-year old product out of Central Arkansas didn't play a single regular season game last season for New England.
As I see it, Carter's release was similar to that of Anthony Gonzalez, in that there were other more qualified players on the team at his position. However, I could have never predicted that he would have been released before the start of training camp.
Last year on the Patriots practice squad, Carter won practice squad player of the week seven times, a team high. I believed he would have been given a fair chance to pitch his case for a 53-man roster spot during Training Camp. With Carter gone, similar players such as Jermaine Cunningham and Trevor Scott's chances of making the roster seemingly have improved.