This is the famous shot of Patriots coach Mike Vrabel running on the sidelines with Patriots veteran Antonio Gibson on Gibson's kick return for a TD vs. Miami early in the season. Gibson was released by the Patriots on Monday. (AP photo)

In the second game of the season, New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was seen running stride for stride with back Antonio Gibson as Gibson was returning a kick 90 yards for the touchdown at Miami.

This time, though, Vrabel is forcing Gibson to walk.

The veteran running back was released on Monday by the Patriots, saving about $4 million in salary cap space.

Gibson signed a three-year, $11.25 million deal with the Patriots in 2024 as a free agent who had played with the Washington Commanders. He had no guaranteed money remaining on the contract, however, and tore his ACL in one of the Patriots’ biggest wins of the year, Oct. 5 at Buffalo and his season was over.

Originally drafted by the Commanders in 2020 (third round), Gibson has played in 83 games with 35 starts, rushing for 3,287 yards and 24 TDs. He was seen as a valuable receiver out of the backfield when the Patriots signed him, and in his career has 1,495 receiving yards and seven TDs.

Gibson was veteran insurance as Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson split time in the backfield. Look for the Patriots to try to draft or acquire some running back depth.

Patriots VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf meets with the media today at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis at 10 a.m.,and Vrabel will speak on Wednesday at 1 p.m.