FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – The New England Patriots released veteran wide receiver J.J. Stokes on Thursday.

The 31-year-old Stokes was signed as a free agent on March 3. Last season, after being released by Jacksonville on Nov. 12, Stokes was signed by the Patriots. He appeared in two games and was released on Dec. 9, but was re-signed on Jan. 17, for the playoffs. He played eight seasons with the 49ers, starting 66 of 111 games and catching 327 passes for 4,139 yards and 30 touchdowns.

AP-ES-08-26-04 2039EDT