FOXBORO — The Patriots’ decision to release Yannick Ngakoue this week was not performance-based, according to head coach Jerod Mayo.

The Patriots claimed Ngakoue, 29, off waivers from the Ravens in November. He was waived on Tuesday.

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“Just trying to give a veteran player an opportunity to catch on with a team that will be in the postseason,” Mayo said Wednesday. “I’ll just say this about Yannick. He did a great job. He was great in the meeting rooms. He was great out there in the practice field. A veteran that brought a lot to the table, and wish him nothing but the best.”

Ngakoue played six games with the Patriots and registered nine tackles with two QB hits. PFF credited him with three total hurries on 152 snaps.

The Jaguars 2016 third-round pick was flagged for a costly roughing the passer penalty in Saturday’s loss to the Chargers.

Edge defenders Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr., Anfernee Jennings and Titus Leo remain on the Patriots’ 53-man roster. The team also has Truman Jones on their practice squad.