FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – The New England Patriots’ leading preseason rusher, Patrick Pass, and veteran receiver Dedric Ward were among the 10 players released Sunday.

Pass rushed for 133 yards on 32 carries and had six kickoff returns for 189 yards during the Patriots’ four preseason wins. Pass, a seventh-round pick in 2000 out of Georgia, was a backup fullback for the last two seasons before returning to halfback in training camp.

Ward, a seven-year veteran, signed as a free agent, caught seven passes for 146 yards in the preseason, and had five receptions for 100 yards in the Patriots’ exhibition finale, a 38-23 victory over the Chicago Bears on Wednesday.

“This is a tough time of year,” coach Bill Belichick said Sunday. “A lot of factors go into the decisions. There are some guys who come on later in the preseason and their stock really rises, other guys who have fallen, and other guys who are staying the same. You just have to factor all those things into the mix and figure out where you think its going to come out and what’s going to be best for the team.”

The team also released wide receiver Thabiti Davis; offensive linemen Russ Hochstein, Matt Knutson and Jamil Soriano; nose tackle Ethan Kelley; safety Shawn Mayer; cornerback Leonard Myers; and linebacker Maugaula Tuitele.

Running back Michael Cloud was placed on the reserve-suspended list to serve out a four-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance last season.

Cloud, signed as a free agent in June, tested positive for nandrolone while with the Kansas City Chiefs last season. He claims the positive test came after he used an over-the-counter protein supplement he thought was free of banned substances.

Cloud underwent surgery for a calf injury July 31.

Center Bill Conaty, placed on injured reserve last week with a leg injury, reached an injury settlement and was released.

In all, 16 players not on the 2002 roster made the team.

AP-ES-08-31-03 1826EDT