Doug Kyed of NESN reports that the Patriots brought in three linebackers for tryouts on Tuesday including Trevor Bates, Jasper Brinkley and Randell Johnson.
Brinkley, 31, is a former fifth-round pick of the Vikings. He spent the first five years of his career in Minnesota before he signing on with the Cardinals as a free agent back in March of 2013.
Brinkley later caught on with the Cowboys when signed a two-year deal in March of last year, but he lasted just a few months in Dallas before he was cut coming out of the preseason.
He wasn’t out of work long, as the Giants signed him to a deal just a few days later and he would go on to finish out the year in New York before re-signing on a one-year deal back in March. The Giants elected to cut him loose at the start of the regular season.
Last year, Brinkley appeared in 15 games for the Giants and recorded 66 tackles, one sack, four forced fumbles and a recovery. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 36 linebacker out of 97 qualifying players.
Bates, 23, was taken in the seventh round of this year’s NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $2.412 million contract with the Colts and was set to make a base salary of $450,000 for the 2016 season but he was unfortunately cut loose coming out of the preseason.
The Colts signed him to their practice squad before calling him up a few weeks ago. Bates was cut loose soon after.
During his college career, Bates appeared in 46 games and recorded 207 tackles, 19 sacks, 10 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.
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