FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – The New England Patriots re-signed Dedric Ward on Thursday in another move to improve their injury-depleted wide receiver corps.

The Patriots also placed fullback Fred McCrary on injured reserve with a leg injury, ending his season. In his first year with New England, the former San Diego Charger started three of the six games he played, running three times for three yards and catching two passes for 12 yards.

Ward, who was released in the Patriots’ final preseason cutdown, re-signed two days after New England signed former San Francisco wide receiver J.J. Stokes, who was released by Jacksonville on Nov. 12.

Ward signed with Baltimore on Oct. 6 and played in three games before being released on Tuesday. In seven pro seasons, he has 159 receptions.

Before the moves, New England had just two healthy wide receivers who had caught a pass in the NFL – Deion Branch and rookie Bethel Johnson. Troy Brown and David Givens are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Houston.