This time, it was at the expense of fourth-year interior lineman Kyle Love. (photo: Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia)
Love's agent, Richard Kopelman, said Wednesday that the tackle was being released under the non-football injury designation, alluding to Love's Type-2 diabetes diagnosis as the reason.
"Having consulted with leading authorities on the effects of Type-2 diabetes, we have every reason to believe that Kyle will, in the immediate future, be at 100 percent, and will be prepared to participate in training camp in a couple of months," Kopelman said, via Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. "As Kyle said, 'there is no way something like this is going to stand between me and a long and successful NFL career.'"
The move, coupled with Brandon Deaderick's release on Monday, is a bit of a head-scratcher. Like Deaderick, Love impressively worked his way from the bottom up into a primary role. He played nearly half of the team's defensive snaps last year and was a force against the run. Unless New England plans on bringing in some more talent, this leaves six to battle for the starting spot this offseason opposite veteran Vince Wilfork.
If the reason for Love's release is as Kopelman suggests, Love's ailment would seem to be more serious than his agent is leading on. Kopelman did mention that Love had lost a significant amount of weight prior to being diagnosed though, which could very easily play a factor in the Pats' decision to part ways with the former Bulldog.
Kopelman also said that his client was able to fully participate in all offseason activities before he was informed of the move, and that he gained back a majority of the weight that he had lost. Love leaves the team having tallied 109 total tackles and 5.5 sacks in his three years there.
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