A return from veteran tight end Fred Davis is longer in sight as he was cut by the New England Patriots Friday more than one month after he joined the team signing a one-year deal days after his reinstatement from his 2014 suspension because of violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Davis unknowingly took a banned substance and was suspended making him miss the 2014 season while still with the Washington Redskins.
In his statement through the players association last year Davis said, "Unfortunately, a couple of months ago I took a supplement that contained a banned substance. I now know that supplements are not regulated by the FDA and may contain banned substances. The NFL Policy is strict, and not knowing that a supplement might contain a banned substance doesn't excuse a violation of the policy."
It was the second suspension for the 29-year-old with his first being handed by the NFL back in the 2011 season due to a failed marijuana test.
The 29-year-old was looking to return next season with New England but was released.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked Tuesday about Davis and he said the Redskins' Offensive Player of the Year in 2011 was making progress.
"Fred's been here through the whole process, the OTAs; it's a different kind of system for him. He's been out of football for a little while, but [he has] worked hard, very hard, to try to pick things up and learn a new system. He's making progress," Belichik said according to ESPN.
Despite Davis' work ethic and the progress made, the Patriots did not need his services anymore as they already have depth at the tight end position.
New England already has Rob Gronkowski, Scott Chandler and Michael Hoomanawanui with rookies A.J. Derby (sixth round pick) and Jimmay Mundine (undrafted).
Converted tight end Jake Bequette, who was a former defensive end, also joins the list.
Meanwhile, the Patriots inked the 32<sup>nd overall pick in the draft Malcolm Brown to a four-year deal which has a team option for a fifth year.
