FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots informed rookie defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton that he is being waived Wednesday, which comes on the day the team had to make a decision on whether to activate rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the 53-man roster from injured reserve.

Hamilton was not present at Wednesday's practice, while Brissett was.

An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi, the 6-foot-3, 315-pound Hamilton opened the year on the team's practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on Oct. 8. Hamilton played in two games as the No. 3 option behind Alan Branch and Malcom Brown, making four tackles while filling in for fellow rookie Vincent Valentine, who had a back injury at the time.

Hamilton, who injured his shoulder but has since returned to full health, has been inactive for the past eight games.

The presence of defensive tackle Darius Kilgo on the practice squad might have contributed to the Patriots' decision to waive Hamilton, who could be claimed by another team looking for a big-bodied tackle with upside. If Hamilton clears waivers, he would fill the open spot on the team's practice squad.

Meanwhile, the benefits the team sees in activating Brissett were highlighted on Tuesday.