Pats reinforce the thin WR unit with Thomas signature



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The New England Patriots have signed Demaryius Thomas in the hope that his addition will strengthen an otherwise slim receiver group.

The team announced the move Tuesday, less than a week after welcoming Thomas to a free visit.

Thomas, a 31-year-old veteran, acquired by the Denver Broncos Texans shortly before last season's deadline, was torn apart by an Achilles tear in December and was released by Houston in February.

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He has 23 assists for 275 yards and two touchdowns in seven games after trading with the Texans. Thomas finished 2018 with 59 catches for 677 yards and five touchdowns.

The Patriots lost to Adam Humphries, one of their main goals as an independent agent, who signed with the Titans. They are returning the first option, 32-year-old Julian Edelman, who has won the Most Valuable Player Award at the Super Bowl LIII and re-signed Option 3-4, Phillip Dorsett, for a contract. A year up to $ 2.6 million. .

Former Washington Redskins receiver Maurice Harris and slots receiver Bruce Ellington have signed a one-year contract to help complete a depth chart that also includes the player of the day. Damoun Patterson's training squad and the 2018 sixth-round pick, Braxton Berrios, who spent his injured reserve rookie season.

The club could have brought back Chris Hogan, who was an unrestricted free agent, but without being aggressive. Hogan signed a one – year contract with the Carolina Panthers last week, worth up to $ 2 million.

Thomas, four times selected for the Pro Bowl and who had to pay 14 million dollars in 2019, but nothing was guaranteed, said, just before the release of Texans, he did not think about retiring.

"I can still play, man," he says.

Thomas was arrested on February 27 and charged with assault (criminal conduct), reckless driving and unsafe driving as part of an accident on February 16 in downtown Denver. He and two passengers were injured and taken to the hospital after his SUV left the road and overturned after reaching a median value greater than 70 mph, more than twice the limit. of speed.

He pleaded guilty on March 27 to a charge of misdemeanor driving with reckless driving and had the crime charge withdrawn. He was sentenced to a $ 300 fine, 50 hours of community service, and one year of supervised probation.

A former first-round pick, Thomas spent his first seasons in the NFL with the Broncos, including a stint under the former Denver head coach and current Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels. He has the second highest number of rushing yards (9,055) and touchdowns (60) in the history of the Broncos, ahead of Rod Smith in both categories.

Mike Reiss and Sarah Barshop of ESPN contributed to this report.

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