New England Patriots free agent linebacker Junior Seau has signed a 1-year contract to rejoin the team for the remainder of the 2008 season. It is his 19th season in the NFL. The Patriots reached out to Seau after LB Adalius Thomas was placed on the season ending injured reserve after breaking his arm against the Buffalo Bills in Week 10 and having surgery later that week.
Earlier in the season Seau said he would only return to play with one team, the Patriots and that was only if a situation arose where they needed him.
Seau was drafted 5th overall in the first round of the 1990 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers out of the University of Southern California. He played 13 seasons in San Diego going to 12 NFL Pro Bowls. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins prior to the 2003 season and after a productive first season he was plagued by injuries in 2004 and 2005.
After retiring in 2006 for 3 days he signed a contract to play for the New England Patriots as he pursued the one thing missing from his resume a championship. His first season in New England once again ended in injury. After a successful rehab he returned for a second season in Foxboro where the team came up short in getting Seau his ring when they lost to the New York Giants 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.
Seau will travel with the Patriots this weekend to Seattle.
