Leonard Hankerson Released by Patriots: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Ten days after Leonard Hankerson was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons by the New England Patriots, the AFC East champions decided to cut ties with the 26-year-old wide receiver. 

According to the team's official website, Hankerson and tight end Asante Cleveland were released while cornerback Troy Hill was claimed off waivers and wide receiver Chris Harper was elevated to the team's 53-man roster. 

Hankerson appeared in the Patriots' win over the Tennessee Titans last week, but he didn't record a target or a catch. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Hankerson has a good chance to return to the Patriots next week if he clears waivers. 

Dogged by injuries, Hankerson tallied 26 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns in eight appearances with the Falcons before he was waived. 

The Falcons placed Hankerson on injured reserve in early December due to the bothersome hamstring, and he was waived just over a week later. 

And while Hankerson recovered from the hamstring injury in time to try and secure a spot with the Patriots, he faced an uphill battle trying to learn the Patriots' complex scheme in a matter of days. 

"The transaction is a pretty clear indication the Patriots needed a wide receiver with more experience in the system for tomorrow's game against the Jets," the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe wrote. "Hankerson simply doesn't know enough of the playbook to contribute tomorrow, and that's perfectly understandable."

But despite Saturday's news, Hankerson seems to have a fan in head coach Bill Belichick. Upon claiming the receiver off waivers, Belichick had kind words to heap on the young receiver. 

"He’s been a good player, and he was available," Belichick said, per NESN.com's Doug Kyed. "It’s not that frequent that you see players like that available at this time of year, so we claimed him."

And as Rapoport noted, New England evidently likes Hankerson enough to bring him back for an extended look if he clears waivers. 

This season has been a rough stretch for Hankerson after the former third-round pick failed to make his presence felt in three seasons with the Washington Redskins, but perhaps a return to the Patriots will offer him a chance to revive his career. 

With time to learn the system and generate a rapport with the coaching staff, Hankerson could wind up being a diamond in the rough find as the Patriots gear up for next season.