Hartsock has been released by the Patriots, the Boston Globe reports. With the Patriots having also waived Terrence Miller on Wednesday, only Steve Maneri remains among the trio of tight ends recently added by the team. The moves leaves Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui, D.J. Williams and Maneri as the team's current options at the position, with the report also suggesting that fullback James Develin could also enter the equation.

The Patriots have signed Hartsock, the Boston Herald reports. While the move shouldn't cause much of a fantasy stir given that Hartsock earns most of his keep as a blocker, he'll have a chance to earn a depth role with the Patriots, along with fellow tight ends Steve Maneri and Terrence Miller, who were also added by the team Sunday. Meanwhile, Justin Jones and Asa Watson were waived by the Patriots.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera insists No. 2 TE Ben Hartsock is a good complement to Greg Olsen. Hartsock is a mediocre blocker and a liability in the passing game. But to hear Rivera tell it, he's a key piece. "You look at his catches, they're all on the underneath routes - the quick ins, the quick outs. People miss the value of that when you have one tight end that can stretch the field and the other one that can attack the middle." Greg Olsen is going to push for 90-plus percent of the snaps once again this year.

Panthers re-signed TE Ben Hartsock. Hartsock turns 33 before the season and has all of seven receptions since the 2007 campaign. He is a blocking tight end who doesn't dominate at blocking.

Panthers declared TE Ben Hartsock inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Hartsock is the only mild surprise for the Panthers as a healthy scratch. They have already placed Jon Beason, Thomas Davis and Ron Edwards on injured reserve. The rest of the Panthers' inactives: QB Jimmy Clausen, WR Kealoha Pilares, OT Lee Ziemba, DT Frank Kearse, LB Jason Phillips and S Charles Godfrey. Jordan Pugh will start in place of Godfrey (concussion).

Panthers agreed to terms with TE Ben Hartsock on a two-year contract. Hartsock will play the blocking specialist role next to Jeremy Shockey in a run-heavy attack. The Jets were interested in bringing Hartsock back at a lower rate, so they'll have to turn elsewhere for Dustin Keller's partner.