Patriots signing linebacker Jamie Collins for third stint

He’s back. Again.

The Patriots have signed free-agent linebacker Jamie Collins, his agent, David Canter, announced Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran is entering his third stint with the team, after most recently leaving New England as a free agent in March 2020. Collins left to sign a three-year, $30 million deal with the Lions, who cut him last month to give snaps to younger players.

THE RETURN Part III. Congratulations @GSEworldwide client Jamie Collins pic.twitter.com/II8n16VHMe

— David Canter (@davidcanter) October 6, 2021

Collins was a healthy scratch for his last game in Week 3. He managed 10 tackles and one fumble recovery the two weeks before, but was victimized in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Collins also recorded a quarterback hit and one hurry during losses to the 49ers and Packers.

In 2020, Collins led the Lions with 101 tackles. In 2019, he enjoyed a career renaissance with the Patriots, making 85 tackles, snatching three interceptions and forcing three fumbles. He also broke up four passes.

Collins entered the league with New England as a second-round pick in 2013 out of Southern Miss. He played three and a half seasons with the Patriots, before getting traded to Cleveland. He’s made one Pro Bowl and won two Super Bowls over his career, all with the Pats.

Collins joins fellow inside linebackers Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Harvey Langi on the team’s depth chart. Bentley missed last Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay with a shoulder injury, which forced the team to elevate Jahlani Tavai off the practice squad and give him reserve snaps for a second straight week.

It’s unknown if Collins will play in the Patriots’ next game Sunday at Houston.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3Dg8YAe