There were reports earlier in the day about two changes to the Patriots receiving corps and the team made both of them official on Tuesday afternoon.
As expected, Donte’ Stallworth is back with the Patriots. Stallworth has been out of work since getting cut by the team this summer. He signed with them in March as a free agent, returning to the team he played for in 2007 before stops in Cleveland, Baltimore and Washington. His familiarity with the offense should help him hit the ground running since the team also lost a receiver for the season.
Stallworth will be taking the roster spot of wide receiver Julian Edelman, who was indeed placed on injured reserve after breaking his foot in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins. Edelman had been a valuable piece for the team this year, scoring touchdowns as a receiver, a punt returner and by recovering a fumble on the kickoff coverage team.
The Patriots also released offensive lineman Mitch Petrus, leaving them with an open roster spot. If they’ve developed a taste for former wide receivers, both Deion Branch and Jabar Gaffney are free agents.