FOXBORO, Mass. (April 18, 2005) -- The New England Patriots signed free agent Wesly Mallard as they continued adding to their linebacking corps.
Mallard, who spent the past three seasons with the New York Giants, played in four games in 2004 before going on injured reserve with a torn ligament in his left knee. The Patriots signed him three days after adding another free-agent linebacker, Monty Beisel, who was with Kansas City.
Since last season, the Patriots released linebacker Roman Phifer, and linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a mild stroke that could sideline him for at least one season.
Mallard, 26, was drafted by the Giants in the sixth round in 2002 from Oregon. Since then, he has played in 35 games as a backup linebacker and special-teams player.
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