FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots activated wide receiver Tim Dwight from the preseason physically unable to perform list today. Additionally, the team released nose tackle Ethan Kelley and wide receiver Jake Schifino.
Dwight, 29, was signed by the Patriots as a veteran free agent on March 13, 2005 and is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, playing in 85 career games with 28 starts. He was placed on the preseason PUP list on Thursday, July 28. The 5-foot-8-inch, 180-pounder was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft, and has previously played for the Falcons (1998-2000) and the San Diego Chargers (2001-2004). His career statistics include 163 receptions for 2,422 yards and 14 touchdowns; 192 kickoff returns for 4,473 yards and two touchdowns; 130 punt returns for 1,300 yards and three touchdowns; and 41 rushes for 275 yards and three touchdowns.
Kelley, 25, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2-inch, 310-pound defensive lineman played in one game in his Patriots career, appearing in the 2004 regular-season finale against San Francisco (1/2/05). The Baylor product spent the entire 2004 regular season and playoffs on the active roster and was inactive for 15 regular season games and all three playoff games. Kelley spent the entire 2003 regular season and playoffs on the Patriots practice squad.
Schifino, 25, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on January 6, 2005. The 6-foot-1-inch, 201-pound receiver played in 14 career games over three seasons with the Tennessee Titans (2002-04). The Akron product was originally drafted by Tennessee in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. Schifino has recorded 35 career kickoff returns for 703 yards (20.1 avg).
