Patriots release DL Albert Haynesworth

“Albert has worked hard. I think that it’s coming,” Belichick said after Haynesworth’s first practice with the Patriots. “We’ve got a long way to go, so just take it day-by-day, but I think he’s doing fine.”

Four days before the season-opening 38-24 win over the Miami Dolphins, Haynesworth was upbeat.

“I didn’t do much in D.C. The scheme didn’t fit me,” he said. “Now I can go out there and play and I can get back to what I used to do.”

And last Wednesday he said, “I want to do everything better. I’d like to rush the passer and get after the quarterback more. Instead of just getting the pressures, I want to get the sacks.”

But he was a backup in all six games he played.

The Patriots have good depth on the defensive line with Wilfork, Andre Carter, Shaun Ellis, Mark Anderson, Gerard Warren and Kyle Love. They also recently activated two defensive linemen from the physically unable to perform list, Brandon Deaderick, who has played two games, and Ron Brace, who has played one.

Deaderick “did a nice job in the running game, used his hands well, played with good technique,” Belichick said Monday.

In other moves Tuesday, the Patriots signed wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, cut tight end Dan Gronkowski and released offensive lineman Thomas Welch from the practice squad.

The Patriots originally signed Underwood on Aug. 29 after he spent two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars but released him five days later. Gronkowski had no catches in five games this season. Welch played in three games for the Patriots this year.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects to three tackles in third paragraph.)

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