FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – The New England Patriots have re-signed tight end Marcellus Rivers and placed tight end David Thomas on injured reserve.

The move means Thomas, who has a foot injury, is out for the year.

The 28-year-old Rivers has played with the New York Giants and Houston Texans in five NFL seasons, most recently with the Texans in 2005.

He has 51 career receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns. The Patriots signed Rivers as a free agent in August, then released him, re-signed him and released him again during the first eight days of September.

Thomas, a third round pick in 2006, has 12 career receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown.