NFL star who has made $8.8m in career earnings wakes up unemployed after being cut by struggling New England Patriots

THE New England Patriots have cut Ty Montgomery and Matthew Wright from their practice squad.

Bill Belichick's side has had a dreadful season, flailing at 3-10 and bottom of the American Football Conference East Division.

They did have a reprieve last week after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18 away from home.

But the announcement of Montgomery's axe has come as a shock to fans.

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The 30-year-old is a former third-round pick, drafted into the NFL by the Green Bay Packers in 2015.

He was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2018.

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Montgomery - who has earned $8.8 million so far in his career - went on to play for the New York Jets.

The running back signed a two-year deal with the Patriots last season.

He played in 11 games this year but has only had five snaps on the field.

Montgomery made 40 yards from them, with a strong average of 8 yards per carry.

The former New Orleans Saints star - who used to play wide receiver - announced his departure on Instagram.

He posted: "Thank you, New England."

Meanwhile, Wright was also released from the practice squad at the same time.

The 27-year-old is already an NFL veteran after playing for eight teams in his career to date.

He is best known for breaking the Jacksonville Jaguars' unwanted 20-game losing streak.

Wright has made 40 of his 46 field goals in his career, with a longest of 59 yards.