Austin Collie signs with Patriots again

The New England Patriots have re-signed wide receiver Austin Collie, the team announced. Collie, 28, was released on Nov. 5 by New England, meaning he will have spent exactly one month away from the team before returning on Thursday.

Going into the season with a depleted receiving corps after the departures of Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd, plus the injury to tight end Rob Gronkowski and the legal investigation brought against Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots signed Collie to help provide veteran depth and experience to a unit that features rookie Aaron Dobson, undrafted free agent rookie Kenbrell Thompkins and the oft-injured Danny Amendola. However, Collie did not have much of a presence or impact on the field during his time with New England, catching just three passes for 34 yards.

Dobson and Thompkins are both listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, and Amendola is listed as probable with a groin injury. That leaves Julian Edelman as the only receiver not listed on the injury report, meaning Collie could see some snaps this week.