FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have signed CB LeQuan Lewis and released rookie free agent TE Brandon Ford.

Lewis, 24, played in eight NFL games in 2012 with three games on the Dallas Cowboys and five games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Tennessee out of Arizona State in 2011. Lewis was released by Tennessee following training camp and spent the season out of football. He spent part of the 2012 offseason with Oakland before being signed by the New York Jets in August. Lewis spent time on the Jets practice squad before being signed to the Dallas 53-man roster, where he played in three games, registering one tackle. After being released by Dallas, Lewis rotated between the Tampa Bay practice squad and 53-man roster, playing in five games and registering three tackles and one interception. Lewis was signed by Chicago in February of 2013 and was released on May 13, 2013.

Ford, 23, was signed by New England as a rookie free agent out of Clemson on May 3, 2013. The 6-foot-3, 237-pounder, served as a backup tight end in 2010 and 2011 before earning a starting position in 2012 where he finished with 40 receptions for 480 yards and eight touchdowns. Ford finished his college career with 12 touchdowns, which tied a school record for most receiving touchdowns by a tight end.