New England claimed former Pro Bowler Yannick Ngakoue off waivers on Friday.
Outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue’s arrival off waivers would lead to a departure at inside linebacker.
The New England Patriots waived fellow veteran Raekwon McMillan from the 53-man roster on Friday, according to the transaction wire.
McMillan, 28, had seen two of his previous three seasons end on injured reserve before they could begin due to a torn ACL and a partially torn Achilles. He returned to total 45 tackles through nine appearances this fall.
The Ohio State product made four starts from September into October before his off-the-ball role reduced. He handled 44 percent of the snaps on defense and 78 percent of the snaps on special teams prior to becoming a corresponding move.
Selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft, McMillan spent his rookie campaign on injured reserve following a torn ACL. The former No. 58 overall pick went on to start 28 games on the other side of the AFC East before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
McMillan landed in Foxborough on a one-year deal as an unrestricted free agent the following spring. Multiple contract extensions followed for the 6-foot-2, 250-pound linebacker while on injured reserve. So did recognition as an offseason award winner entering 2024.
“I know what he’s been through the last couple of years, and it was good to see him out there playing good ball,” head coach Jerod Mayo said in August.
Across 25 games, McMillan’s stay with the Patriots brought 80 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery returned for his first career touchdown.
Vested players became subject to waivers after the NFL’s trade deadline passed Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.