The Sports Xchange

The New England Patriots plan to release veteran quarterback Matt Flynn and sign former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley, according to ESPN.com.

The Patriots informed Flynn that he would be released Monday, a source told ESPN.

Flynn, 30, signed a one-year deal in June to serve as New England’s No. 3 quarterback behind Tom Brady, who is currently suspended for the first four games of the regular season, and Jimmy Garoppolo. Flynn opened training camp on the active/non-football injury list because of a hamstring injury.

The journeyman Flynn has spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills. A seventh-round draft pick by the Packers in 2008, Flynn has played in 51 games and started seven, throwing for 2,541 yards and 17 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

According to ESPN, the Patriots’ decision with Flynn might be tied to Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Packers and the team’s need for a third quarterback. Flynn could return when healthy.

Lindley, a sixth-round draft pick in 2012, started Arizona’s wild-card playoff loss last season to the Carolina Panthers. He made two regular-season starts for the Cardinals and saw action in another game. He also started four games for the Cardinals in 2012.

Lindley, 26, has completed 50.8 percent of his passes in nine careers games for 1,314 yards with two touchdowns and 11 interceptions.