FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that they have released DL Khyri Thornton from the 53-man roster. In addition, the Patriots released OL Brennan Williams from the practice squad. Williams was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 20.
Thornton, 25, was originally claimed off waivers by the Patriots from Green Bay on Sept. 6, 2015. He was inactive for the season opener vs. Pittsburgh and was released on Sept. 17, 2015. He was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 19 and signed back to the 53-man roster Oct.1. Thornton originally entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick (85th overall) by Green Bay in 2014 out of Southern Mississippi. The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder, suffered an injury in the 2014 preseason finale and spent his rookie season on Injured Reserve. He was released by Green Bay on Sept. 5, 2015.
Williams, 24, originally entered the NFL as a third-round draft choice (89th overall) by the Houston Texans out of North Carolina in the 2013 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder, spent his rookie season on Injured Reserve. He was released by Houston on July 21, 2014, and went to training camp with Jacksonville this past summer. Williams was released by the Jaguars on Aug. 29, 2015. His father, Brent Williams, played defensive end with the Patriots from 1986 through 1993.
