The Patriots have just announced they have released running back Patrick Pass. Here’s the full text of the announcement from the team:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots released veteran running back Patrick Pass today. Pass re-joined the Patriots on June 4, 2009 after playing for the team from 2000-06.

Patrick Pass, 31, played in 78 regular-season games with 11 starts for the Patriots from 2000-06 and played in 10 playoff games with one start during his tenure in New England. He also appeared in one game for the New York Giants in 2007. Pass has recorded 1,096 career yards from scrimmage – 128 rushes for 526 yards and 66 receptions for 570 yards – and has scored four career touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving). He has also returned 36 kickoffs for 745 yards (20.7 avg.) and has made 50 career special teams tackles. Pass appeared in each of the Patriots’ three Super Bowl victories and started at fullback in New England’s Super Bowl XXXIX victory over Philadelphia.

The 5-foot-10-inch, 217-pound running back was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round (239th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft.Pass became an unrestricted free agent following the 2006 season and signed with the Houston Texans on July 30, 2007. He was released by the Texans on Aug. 28, 2007 and signed with the New York Giants on Nov. 20. He appeared in the Giants’ Nov. 25 game against Minnesota and recorded one special teams tackle before being released on Nov. 27. Pass spent the 2008 season out of football.