Linebacker Seau Back With Patriots; Signs On For Playoff Push

December 6, 2008 9:05 a.m. EST

Foxborough, MA (AHN) - The New England Patriots will welcome a familiar face back to their defense as they attempt to make the playoffs for the sixth-straight year.

Linebacker Junior Seau signed with the Pats Friday, coming out of retirement for the second time to help bolster his former team's injury-depleted defense.

The 39-year-old linebacker takes the roster spot of Adalius Thomas, who was placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season after breaking his left forearm Nov. 9 against Buffalo.

The Pats are also without injured linebackers Eric Alexander and Pierre Woods, both out for the remainder of the season.

Seau, a 12-time Pro-Bowler, will suit up Sunday when the Patriots visit Seattle.

He came out of retirement to re-sign with the New England Patriots for the 2007 season and was named one of the team's captains as they went on to lose in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.