FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) _ The New England Patriots have released linebacker Brandon Spikes the day after Massachusetts State Police found his damaged car abandoned in the median of an interstate near the team’s headquarters.

The team in a brief statement Monday announced that Spikes had been cut.

State police say Spikes’ Mercedes-Maybach was found with front-end damage at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday in Foxborough after the operator reported hitting a deer. It’s not clear who had been driving.

A short time later, troopers responded to a report that a Nissan Murano, also on Interstate 495 in the same area as the abandoned car, had been rear-ended by another vehicle, injuring three occupants.

Police have contacted Spikes and are investigating whether the incidents are connected. No charges have been filed. Phone and email messages were left Monday with Spikes’ agent.