FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today the signing of veteran FB Lousaka Polite. Terms of the contract were not announced.
In addition, the Patriots announced that rookie DB Malcolm Williams has been signed to the practice squad. Williams was signed from the practice to the 53-man roster on Dec. 10 and saw action on special teams against Washington on Dec. 11. He was released on Dec. 15.
Polite, 30, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons with Dallas (2004-06), Chicago (2007) and Miami (2008-10). He went to training camp with the Dolphins this past summer but was released on Sept. 3.
Polite, 6-0, 245 pounds, originally joined the NFL as a rookie free agent with Dallas out of Pittsburgh in 2004. He has played in 75 NFL games with 27 starts and has 95 rushing attempts for 296 yards with one touchdown and 41 receptions for 233 yards and one touchdown. Polite has also played in two postseasons games, one with Dallas in 2006 and one with Miami in 2008.
Williams, 24, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round (219th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Texas Christian. Williams, 5-11, 200 pounds, was released by the Patriots on Aug. 29 and then had two stints on the New England practice squad.