The New England Patriots have claimed Tyler Gaffney on waivers.

Gaffney, a sixth-round draft choice out of Stanford by the Carolina Panthers, sustained a season-ending knee injury in a practice Friday.

The Patriots inherit Gaffney's contract, which runs through 2017 and calls for base salaries of $420,000, $510,000, $600,000 and $690,000.

The Indianapolis Colts have cut Chris Rainey for violating team rules.

Rainey was expected to receive a big opportunity with the Colts following the ACL injury to Vick Ballard.

“I can do anything and everything," Rainey said over the weekend, via PFT. "Wherever they put me, I'm ready for it. I'm one of them play-making guys that make you miss. It just makes you smile because you know what you can do in the middle of the field. So just be ready for it when your time comes.”

As a rookie, he contributed out of the backfield and as a returner, but he was waived hours after a Jan. 2013 arrest on a simple battery charge.

Rainey had been previously arrested in 2010, while at the University of Florida, on a felony stalking charge, which was later reduced to a misdemeanor. And in Dec. 2012, a month before the Steelers cut him, Rainey was cited for defiant trespass when he entered the Meadows Racetrack and Casino near Pittsburgh, after he had signed himself onto a self-exclusion list.

The Dallas Cowboys have released Kyle Orton.

The Cowboys hoped Orton would return, but had been considering retirement since the end of 2013.

Brandon Weeden and Caleb Hanie will be Tony Romo's backup at quarterback.