Reggie Wayne's Release from Patriots Could Be End of Historic Career

Over 14 seasons in the National Football League, Reggie Wayne caught 1,070 passes for the Indianapolis Colts. He racked up 14,345 receiving yards and found the end zone 82 times. Wayne made the Pro Bowl six times. Twice he played in the Super Bowl, including a win in Super Bowl XLI.

However, Wayne's tenure with the Colts ended unceremoniously when the team chose not to re-sign him over the offseason. And now, it looks like his time in the NFL may be over altogether.

As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted, Wayne has asked for and been granted his release by the New England Patriots after less than two weeks with the team:

It was certainly a profitable couple of weeks, especially given that Wayne only practiced for one of them:

And according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the expectation is that this is the end of the line for the 36-year-old:

Saturday may have been the final nail in the coffin of a career for a player who will probably one day be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But for all intents and purposes, Wayne's career ended October 20, 2013.

On that fateful day, in a prime-time matchup against the Denver Broncos, Wayne tore his ACL. It put an end to a remarkable streak of durability, as Wayne had played in all 16 games 11 straight seasons before tearing up his knee.

And when he returned to the field, Wayne just wasn't the same. He had clearly lost a step, struggled to get open and posted numbers (64 catches, 779 yards, two touchdowns) that paled compared to the streak of productivity that came before.

Over nine seasons from 2004 to 2012, Wayne topped 1,000 receiving yards eight times. The lone exception was 2011, when Peyton Manning missed the entire season with a neck injury. Four times over that span, Wayne caught 100 passes or more. He scored double-digit touchdowns three times.

Yes, it doesn't hurt to have the likes of Manning and Andrew Luck throwing you the ball. Or to play opposite Marvin Harrison much of that time. But those numbers are pretty good no matter what qualifiers you attach to them.

The high-water mark? February 4, 2007, when Wayne reeled in a 53-yard touchdown as the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI.

Only a few days ago, Wayne was telling Doug Kyed of NESN that he looked forward to catching passes from Tom Brady in New England this year:

"

I’m excited he’s available. Now Reggie’s gotta take care of what Reggie’s gotta take care of. That’s getting in my playbook, correcting all of the mistakes I made tonight and get better. I’ve only been here a week and-a-half or so, so I’m behind the eight-ball. I’m excited he’s available, and now I gotta do my job.

"

Either Wayne was blowing smoke that day, or something happened since then that changed his mind. Whatever the case, he won't be catching passes from the Golden Boy this year—or quite possibly anyone.

Yes, Schefter noted Wayne has left open the possibility he'll play again:

But where would that be? The teams Wayne is likely willing to play for either have no need for him at all or could only offer him a minimal role. The teams that need him—well, does Wayne really want to end his career somewhere like Cleveland?

The sad fact is, age and injury have taken their toll. Wayne just isn't the same player anymore.

That's just the reality of life in the National Football League. No matter how great the player, no matter how many stats and accolades he piles up, the end comes for everyone. And usually it comes with a whimper, not a bang.

Father Time is undefeated. And on Saturday, it looks like Father Time caught up to Reggie Wayne.

Gary Davenport is an NFL analyst at Bleacher Report and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and the Pro Football Writers of America. You can follow Gary on Twitter @IDPSharks.