Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - The New England Patriots re-signed wide receiver Deion Branch Wednesday to bolster their shorthanded receiving core.

The Patriots lost newly-signed wideout Dante Stallworth for the rest of the year with an ankle injury on Monday, and are also without Julian Edelman for the remainder of the season due to a foot injury.

Branch caught nine passes for 80 yards in seven games for New England earlier this season before being released by the team on Nov. 17.

The 33-year-old veteran will be making his third stint with the Patriots. He was selected by New England in the second round of the 2002 draft and spent his first four seasons with the club before being traded to Seattle in 2006. The Seahawks sent him back to New England in October of 2010.

In 137 games, including 110 starts, the Louisville product has 511 career receptions for 6,579 yards with 39 touchdowns. He also has 62 catches for 932 yards in 15 career playoff games.

Branch's 24 receptions in three Super Bowls are third-most all-time, trailing Jerry Rice's 33 catches and Andre Reed's 27. Both Rice and Reed appeared in four Super Bowls.

The Patriots also signed wide receiver Tony Logan to the practice squad on Wednesday.

The Sports Network