So now we have a reason why OL Gene Mruczkowski wasn't at practice yesterday: the Patriots have just announced that the 28-year old guard/center has retired.

Mruczkowski, who came to New England from Purdue as a rookie free agent, played in a career-high 15 games with Miami last season after spending training camp with the Patriots and being one of the final cuts before the regular season. He was brought back to the Pats in June. In all, Mruczkowski played in 18 games with New England.

To fill his spot, the Pats re-signed rookie Lavdrim Bauta, who was signed Tuesday and then released Thursday afternoon after Jerod Mayo was officially signed.