FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced today the signing of TE Steve Maneri to the 53-man roster. In addition, the Patriots placed 2014 first-round draft pick DL Dominique Easley on injured reserve.

The Patriots also signed rookie QB Garrett Gilbert to the practice squad.

Maneri, 26, spent the 2010 season on the New England practice squad and went to training camp with the Patriots in 2011 and was in camp with the team this past summer. He was signed by the Patriots on Aug. 10, 2014, and released on Aug. 30. The 6-foot-7, 280-pounder, has also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs (2011-12) and the Chicago Bears (2013). He spent part of the 2014 offseason with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Maneri was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Houston Texans out of Temple in 2010 but was released and claimed off waivers by the Patriots prior to the start of the regular season. He has played in 23 NFL games with 10 starts and has registered six receptions for 52 yards. A tight end in college, Houston signed Maneri and converted him to an offensive lineman. He began his career with the Patriots as an offensive lineman as well. Last season, Maneri played in four games with one start for Chicago before being released by the Bears on Oct. 21, 2013.

Easley, 22, was drafted by New England in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Florida with the 29th pick overall. The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder, played in 11 games with two starts and registered nine total tackles, one sack, and one interception.

Gilbert, 23, was originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft (214th pick overall) out of Southern Methodist. The 6-foot-4, 221-pounder, was released by St. Louis on Aug. 30, 2014, and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1. He was released from the St. Louis practice squad on Oct. 28. As a senior at SMU in 2013, Gilbert set a school record for completions (335) and finished second in passing with 3,528 yards. He also threw 21 touchdowns as a senior.