FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that DB Ross Ventrone has been released. In addition, the Patriots released DL Cedric McKinley from the practice squad. Read

Ventrone, 25, has spent time on both the practice squad and 53-man roster this season, playing in eight games. Ventrone, 5-8, 190 pounds, was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of Villanova on April 29, 2010. He spent the majority of his rookie season in 2010 on the New England practice squad. Read

McKinley, 24, joined the New England practice squad on Dec. 20. He was originally signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a rookie free agent out of Minnesota on May 4, 2010 but was released prior to the start of training camp. McKinley, 6-6, 286 pounds, was re-signed by Minnesota on July 31, 2011 and has spent part of the 2011 season on the Vikings' practice squad. Read