The New England Patriots cut tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins on Tuesday and according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, he will be taking time away to deal with some “personal issues.”
The #Patriots are cutting TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, source said. He’s taking a step away for a month for personal issues and the team will release him as he does that. We’ll see if he comes back to New England or anywhere.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2019
The Patriots had signed Seferian-Jenkins to a one year deal for the veteran minimum in April after the Jaguars had declined his team option. He didn't attend voluntary minicamp and missed Tuesday's mandatory minicamp.
Seferian-Jenkins was arrested in college for DUI and also while part of the Buccaneers in 2016 received the same charge. After his 2016 arrest, he did attend treatment, but it's unclear if that's why he is taking a step back from football at this time.
Nora Princiotti of the Boston Globe reported the hope is he will be ready to play football again in July but that is still to be determined.
League source confirms Austin Seferian-Jenkins was released. Taking a month off to work on “personal issues” and hopes to be ready to come back to football in July.
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) June 4, 2019
The Patriots haven't closed the door on signing him if he is ready to play football again and with the tight end situation they have, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him back on the team. The Patriots currently have Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo, and Andrew Beck all on the roster.
Watson is facing a suspension to start the season and will leave the team with very little experience during the first couple of weeks.
Hopefully, Seferian-Jenkins can work through whatever issues he is dealing with and still get with a team for this upcoming season.
Last season with the Jaguars Seferian-Jenkins struggled to catch only 11 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.