FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced today that they have released cornerback Chimdi Chekwa (CHIM-dee CHECK-wah), linebacker Cameron Gordon and wide receiver Devin Gardner. The team also announced the signing of linebacker Brandon Spikes.
Chekwa, 26, signed with the Patriots on March 12, 2015, and is a veteran of four NFL seasons with the Oakland Raiders after joining the team as a fourth-round draft pick (113th overall) in 2011 out of Ohio State. The 6-foot, 190-pounder, was a key contributor on special teams, playing in 32 games with four starts and registering 32 tackles and 15 special teams tackles. After being limited to four games as a rookie in 2011, he began the 2012 season on the practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster in December for the final three games. Last season, Chekwa, played in 10 games with two starts and tallied five tackles and a team-leading nine special teams tackles.
Gardner, 23, who signed with the Patriots on May 8, 2015, was a four-year letterman at Michigan, appearing in 49 games with 31 starts overall as a quarterback and wide receiver. The 6-foot-4, 216-pounder, made 27 starts at quarterback and four starts at wide receiver. He finished his career sixth in school history with 44 passing touchdowns, fourth with 6,336 passing yards and fourth with 475 completions. Gardner set a school record vs. Indiana on Oct. 19, 2013 with 503 passing yards.
Gordon, 23, signed with the Patriots on May 12, 2014, as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan. The 6-foor-3, 237-pounder suffered an injury during training camp and the Patriots placed him on Injured Reserve prior to the start of the regular season.
Spikes, 27, is a veteran of five NFL seasons with New England (2010-13) and Buffalo (2014). The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick (62nd overall) by New England out of Florida in 2010. He signed with Buffalo as an unrestricted free agent on March 15, 2014. Spikes has played in 66 career games with 50 starts and has registered 384 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, seven forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 15 passes defensed. He finished second on the Patriots in 2012 with 128 total tackles and in 2013 with 134 total tackles. Spikes has played in six postseason games with five starts for the Patriots, finishing with 45 total tackles, one interception, one sack and three passes defensed. Last season in Buffalo, Spikes played in 15 games with 10 starts and finished with 54 total tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and three passes defensed.
