Patriots cut Brandon Spikes amid investigation into possible hit-and-run

The New England Patriots wasted little time moving on from Brandon Spikes after a vehicle registered to the veteran linebacker was found wrecked and abandoned early Sunday morning.

The team announced Spikes's release Monday.

Police discovered Spikes's 2011 Maybach with extensive damage to the front end on a highway in Foxborough, Mass. A representative from the in-vehicle system OnStar informed police that the driver reported hitting a deer.

That story doesn't necessarily check out, as reports state no deer was discovered at the scene and another vehicle reported being rear-ended in the area. The occupants of that vehicle were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Spikes spent the first four years of his career with the Patriots before joining the Buffalo Bills last season. He re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year deal on May 18.