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Chris Harper's mistake Sunday night apparently was bad enough to cost him his job.

The New England Patriots announced Monday they have released Harper. The rookie wide receiver likely will return to Patriots' practice squad if he clears waivers, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

Harper assumed punt returning duties in Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos with both Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola sidelined due to injuries. With the Patriots leading 21-7 early in the fourth quarter, Harper muffed a punt deep in his own end that led to a Broncos touchdown four plays later. Denver would complete its comeback with a 30-24 overtime win that ended New England's shot at a perfect season.

Harper, who went undrafted out of the University of California this spring, signed with the team in May. He was placed on the Patriots' practice squad early in the season but was promoted to the 53-man roster following Edelman's injury in Week 10.

The 21-year-old had an opportunity to step up Sunday in a severely depleted receiving corps but didn't record a catch while seeing just one target.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ESPNBoston