FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Dec. 4, 2006) -- The New England Patriots signed defensive back Ray Mickens and placed safety Eugene Wilson on injured reserve Monday.
Mickens played all 16 games last season with the Cleveland Browns after spending the previous nine years with the New York Jets, although he sat out the 2004 season with an injury. He signed with the Jets again as a free agent last May 31 but was released Sept. 2.
The 33-year-old Mickens has 11 interceptions and six sacks in 142 games.
Wilson will miss the rest of the season after sitting out eight of the Patriots' 12 games with hamstring and groin injuries. With Rodney Harrison sidelined with a broken shoulder blade, New England is without its two starting safeties. Coach Bill Belichick said Harrison is improving. But it's not known when he will return.
