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Nov. 7 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots have signed veteran defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois. New England announced the move on Tuesday. The terms of the contract were not announced. The Patriots placed linebacker Don't'a Hightower on injured reserve and re-signed defensive lineman Mike Purcell to the practice squad in corresponding transactions.
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Jean Francois, 30, entered the NFL as a seventh round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2009 NFL Draft. The 6 foot 3, 313 pound defender joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 as an unrestricted free agent. He signed with the Washington Redskins in 2015 after being cut by the Colts. He signed with the Green Bay Packers on March 23 as an unrestricted free agent.
The LSU product has 236 tackles, 12 sacks, nine passes defensed, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in 115 NFL appearances. He has 35 career starts.
Purcell, 26, joined the Patriots' practice squad on Oct. 25 before being released on Oct. 26. He entered the NFL as a rookie free agent signing by the 49ers in 2013. He has 48 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 25 career appearances. He was released by the 49ers on May 2 before being claimed off of waivers by the Los Angeles Rams. He has also spent time with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers practice squads this season.
