According to a published report, the New England Patriots have traded defensive end Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals for guard Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick in this year’s draft.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini reported the deal just after 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Jones had 12 1/2 sacks this past season for the Patriots. He was scheduled to earn $7.79 million in an option year of his contract.

Cooper, a first-round pick in 2014, will help shore up an offensive line that struggled to protect quarterback Tom Brady all season long, and particularly in the playoffs against the Denver Broncos.

Despite losing Jones, the Patriots are still relatively deep on defensive end, with Sheard, Rob Ninkovich and 2015 draft picks Geneo Grissom (third round) and Trey Flowers (fourth round). The Patriots also hosted veteran defensive end Chris Long on a free-agent visit Monday.

The Patriots also officially re-signed defensive back Nate Ebner, an unrestricted free agent who appeared in 15 games last season.

The Patriots announced the signing Tuesday. Terms were not immediately available.

The 27-year-old Ebner has spent the past four seasons in New England after being selected 197th overall in the 2012 NFL draft.

Ebner has appeared mostly on special teams in his 57 career games.


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