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Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett, a third-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2011, has died in a drowning accident around Destin, Fla., the Arkansas-based website Deltaplex News reported Tuesday. He was 35. Mallett was transported from a beach to a hospital, and pronounced dead on arrival, sources told the outlet. SNIP “I am extremely saddened by Ryan’s tragic passing,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement released by the team “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched.” “Tough one to swallow,” former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman tweeted. “Thoughts are...

Although the Texans terminated former backup quarterback Ryan Mallett’s two-year, $7.005 million contract Tuesday, he’s eligible for $1.47 million in termination pay for the remainder of his Paragraph 5 base salary under the NFL collective bargaining agreement. That still counts against the Texans’ salary cap. It’s a one-time mechanism where Mallett can file for the remaining 10 $147,058 game checks, which includes being paid for the Texans’ bye week. Mallett was already paid $1.029 million for the first seven weeks of the season in game checks, in addition to $437,500 for seven per-game active roster bonuses. Mallett forfeits the remaining...

The Texans have released quarterback Ryan Mallett after he missed the team’s flight to Miami last weekend, the team announced Tuesday. Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle​ reported Monday that head coach Bill O’Brien wanted to release Mallett before Sunday’s game against the Dolphins but was overruled by general manager Rick Smith. Releasing Mallett before the game would have left starter Brian Hoyer as Houston’s only quarterback.