Outside linebacker Shawn Crable, a 2008 third-round draft choice who arrived with high expectations but never appeared in a regular-season game for the Patriots, was released by the team Wednesday.
Crable had been placed on the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday, which might have been an indication that he did not pass his conditioning test. Given that this was considered a make-or-break year for him, it's possible the Patriots viewed that as the final straw in his injury-filled tenure with the team.
As a rookie in 2008, Crable was listed among the inactive players for the first eight games before landing on season-ending injured reserve (shin). Last season, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve at the start of the season (groin).
At 6-foot-5, 243 pounds, Crable certainly looked the part, but that never translated to the field in New England.
In May, Crable touched on his mindset entering this season.
“I’ve had two years off,” he said at Kevin Faulk's charity softball game. “Hopefully this time it works out. ... [It's] another opportunity. We'll see if we can do it better this time."
This time didn't last very long.