Wednesday 21 June 2017 17:40, UK
The New England Patriots have agreed to a two-year deal with linebacker David Harris, according to reports.
The 33-year-old was released by the New York Jets on June 6 after ten seasons with the team. Harris was a second-round pick by the Jets in 2007 and had the second-most tackles in team history.
The signing of Harris answers one of the few question marks the Patriots had on their roster - who would start next to Dont'a Hightower at inside linebacker?
After trading Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns midway through the 2016 season, the Patriots mixed and matched at the position for the rest of the year as they went on to win the Super Bowl.
Kyle Van Noy typically played on passing downs with Elandon Roberts filling in on early downs, while Shea McClellin was also a factor.
Harris will go into training camp as the favourite to play more snaps than any of those three and he gives the Patriots an experienced alternative to Hightower, who has missed 11 games over the past three seasons and is the signal caller for the defence.
ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news.
