FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – The New England Patriots signed long snapper Brian Kinchen on Wednesday, pulling the 38-year-old out of retirement after losing two long snappers to injury in the past two weeks. Kinchen last played for the Carolina Panthers in 2000 as a tight end.

In a related move, the Patriots also announced they placed long snapper Sean McDermott on the injured reserve list after he hurt his shoulder in his first game with New England, last Sunday’s 27-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

McDermott was signed after the Patriots lost Lonie Paxton to a knee injury during the Patriots’ 12-0 victory over Miami on Dec. 7. In 13 NFL seasons, Kinchen had 160 receptions for 1,648 yards and seven touchdowns.

Kinchen played for Patriots coach Bill Belichick when Belichick coached Cleveland from 1991-95.

AP-ES-12-17-03 1549EST