Report: Patriots to release TE Allen

The New England Patriots will release tight end Dwayne Allen, according to a report from ESPN on Saturday. The network's Adam Schefter wrote on Twitter that the Patriots have shown interest in bringing him back at a lower price. Allen, who was entering the final year of a four-year deal signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, would have cost New England a $7.3 million cap hit in 2019.

Allen, who turned 29 last week, caught three passes for 27 yards in 13 games last season for the Super Bowl champions, mostly filling a role as a blocking tight end. His most productive season as a pass-catcher came as a rookie in 2012, when he had 45 receptions for 521 yards and three touchdowns for the Colts. The Patriots acquired Allen in a trade in March 2017.

He has 13 catches in two seasons in New England, giving him 139 receptions in 86 career games (72 starts). --Field Level Media