The Patriots released running back Walter Williams and linebacker Setema Gali late Tuesday.
The 24 year old Williams spent the entire 2001 season on injured reserve with a groin injury, but had been seeing quite a bit of reserve and special teams action early on in camp. According to published reports though, he had left camp earlier this week and was considering retirement.
Gali, was original signed onto the team's practice squad last December and spent the entire postseason on that squad. He missed a portion of early training camp with a back injury and never really seemed to work his way into the mix at linebacker.
In other news, ESPN.com's John Clayton is reporting that the Patriots will work out corner back Jimmy Hitchcock on Wednesday and that should he pass a physical he could be signed immediately to help the team's defensive backfield. The defensive backfield has been a bit weakened in camp after the first team players thanks to injury and free agency. Tommy Knight, Leonard Myers and Brock Williams, all guys that should be fighting for backup jobs at corner, have all missed time due to injuries.
Hitchcock was originally a third-round pick of the Patriots in the 1995 draft, but was traded to the Vikings in 1998. Hitchcock spent last season with the Panthers. While he has started only 9 of 32 games for the Panthers over the last two seasons, he did start for two years with the Vikings and had seven interceptions in 1998.
