Spikes was released by the Patriots on Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Spikes was brought on by the Patriots less than one month ago, but the team wasted little time releasing the linebacker following an alleged traffic incident (his car was found abandoned Sunday morning, per ESPN). The 27-year-old Spikes will now be free to sign elsewhere, though any NFL team considering this will likely wait until the pending police investigation is closed.

Spikes signed a one-year deal with the Patriots on Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Spikes spent the first four seasons of his career with the Patriots, and had his best year in 2012, tallying 92 combined tackles and five forced fumbles. After collecting 54 combined tackles in 2014 with the Bills, Spikes will return to his original home, where he should be a favorite to take over a starting inside linebacker role. At the very least, he'll provide an insurance policy in the case that Jerod Mayo and Dont'a Hightower suffer any setbacks in the recovery from their respective knee and shoulder injuries.

Spikes visited the Patriots on Wednesday, csnne.com reports.

Spikes, who played with the Patriots from 2010-13, spent the 2014 season with Buffalo, recording 54 tackles for the Bills in the process. While the Patriots have more pressing needs on defense than linebacker, bringing back Spikes would bolster a unit at the position (particularly against the run) that also includes Jerod Mayo, Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower.

Spikes, who logged 54 tackles and one sack in 2014, will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

While it didn't always show up on the stat sheet, Spikes is an excellent run stuffer and complemented Buffalo's stout defensive line well. Spikes loves playing in Buffalo, but with Kiko Alonso coming back from injury next season, the team may have to get creative to give him the kind of money and role he'd be happy with. Regardless, Spikes almost always comes off the field in passing downs - he played only 46.4 percent of the defensive snaps in 2014 - limiting his IDP value no matter where he ends up.

Spikes played just 24 percent of the team's defensive snaps in Thursday's loss to the Dolphins, The Buffalo News reports. He logged two total tackles and no other meaningful stats.

Spikes, in his first season with the Bills, has added a nice veteran presence and ability to stuff in the run in the middle of the field, but he's simply not as versatile as Preston Brown and Nigel Bradham and he doesn't get to stay on the field as much. His two teammates make for better IDP plays.

Spikes (ribs) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Vikings.�

Spikes recorded season-high eight tackles in Week 6 against the Patriots, but with 27 tackles and a sack through six games overall, his IDP utility has been limited to deeper formats.

Spikes (ribs) practiced on a limited basis for the third straight day Friday but is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Spikes has really helped boost the overall Buffalo run defense this season, but with 27 tackles and a sack through six games, he seems to fall under the IDP level of those linebackers who see the field more.

Spikes (ribs) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.�

With 19 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble through five games, Spikes' IDP impact has been modest overall, but he'll have no trouble finding motivation Sunday, while facing the team he played with for the first four years of his NFL career.

Spikes (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, ESPN.com reports.

We'd be surprised if Spikes didn't play Sunday against his former team, but to date, his IDP impact with the Bills has been modest, with 19 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble through five games.

Spikes was listed as a limited participant for Wednesday's practice due to injured ribs.

Spikes had some unpleasant things to say about the Patriots and Bill Belichick upon leaving that program for free agency, so it would probably take something far more significant - like a lost limb or a guillotine - to keep him off the field against the Pats this week.

Spikes (toe) does not appear on the Bills' Week 5 injury report, the team's official site reports.

Spikes was able to return to practice Friday after suffering a minor toe issue and is on track to suit up Sunday against the Lions. To date, the linebacker has recorded 13 tackles and a sack.

Spikes suffered a toe injury during Friday's practice, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Spikes was taken to the training room during Friday's practice with a toenail issue. It remains to be seen if the setback will prevent him from playing in Sunday's game against the Lions.

Through four games, Spikes has 13 total tackles and a sack.

Spikes' playing time is pretty disappointing, as he was seeing just 39 percent of the defensive snaps entering Sunday, though he did see 62 percent in Sunday's loss to Houston. Still, he only put up three tackles even with the increased playing time. The hope entering the season was that Spikes would be a stud on first and second downs, and do just enough to at least be part of the mix for third down, thereby making him perhaps Buffalo's best linebacker IDP. Instead, rookie Preston Brown and Nigel Bradham appear to offer far more fantasy upside.

Spikes had just one total tackle in Sunday's win over the Dolphins. He also saw the field for just 19 percent of the defensive snaps, according to Joe Buscaglia of wgr550.com.

Spikes is one of the leaders of the defense, but the Dolphins run a unique offense and got behind early, making it a pass-heavy, three-wide attack and that's just not Spikes' strength. Spikes did play 52 of 74 defensive snaps the previous week, so we'll keep an eye as to how he's being used on passing downs once there are more games to sample.

Spikes logged six total tackles and a sack in his first game as a Bill during Sunday's upset win over the Bears. He was on the field for 52 of 74 defensive snaps, according to ESPN.com.

No one can question Spikes' IDP ability, the bigger question is how much he'll see the field since he's a better tackler than pass defender. So the 52 snaps to start the year comes as decent news for his owners. We'll see if Spikes keeps up that ratio with Nigel Bradham (suspension) returning to the mix this week.

Spikes (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bears.�

In his projected role starting at middle linebacker, Spikes has a chance to develop into a solid source of tackles for IDP owners in his first season in a Bills' uniform.

Spikes (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against the Bears, the Post-Standard reports.

Spikes dealt with a minor knee issue during the week, but he logged a full practice Friday, and doesn't seem to be in much danger of missing Sunday's game. This may be the year in which his IDP production matches his reputation as a run stopper, with the Bills expected to use Spikes in a three-down role. While his ability to hold up in pass coverage is certainly worth questioning, there's no doubt that such a role will boost Spikes' IDP value. If he can stay on the field for passing downs all season, 100-plus tackles should be no problem.

Spikes (knee) was listed as limited at Thursday's practice, the Bills' official site reports.

wgr550.com relays that Spikes was forced to leave practice during individual drills Thursday, but noted that the linebacker later returned for team drills. We'll revisit Spikes' status Friday, but at first glance, his Week 1 availability doesn't appear to be in danger.

Bills agreed to terms with ILB Brandon Spikes, formerly of the Patriots, on a one-year deal.

The Bills foreshadowed this signing when they announced second-year LB Kiko Alonso would move to weak-side linebacker, clearing the way for Spikes to man the middle. Spikes, one of the best run-stuffing linebacker in the league, will provide a solid anchor in the middle of the Bills' new 4-3 scheme.

Free agent ILB Brandon Spikes visited the Bills on Friday.

It's Spikes' first-known visit of free agency. With the Bills ready to move Kiko Alonso to weak-side linebacker, Spikes would man the middle. He's one of the league's better run-stopping linebackers.