The New England Patriots signed veteran linebacker Dean Wells to their 53-man roster and added fullback Idris Price to the practice squad today.
Wells, 32, has played in 127 games, including 77 starts with the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers during his nine-year NFL career. He has totaled 569 career tackles (411 solos), including 2.5 sacks, while also forcing seven fumbles and recovering four fumbles. Wells has also snared three career interceptions and has recorded 45 special teams tackles. The 6-foot-3-inch, 248-pound linebacker recorded a career-high 107 tackles (82 solos) with the Seahawks in 1996.
Price, 26, was originally signed by the New York Jets as a rookie free agent on April 26, 2002. He was waived following training camp on Aug. 27. As a linebacker, the 6-foot, 240-pounder led New Haven with 81 tackles during his senior year and was named to the ECAC Division II North All Star team in 2001.
