Patriots making changes

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The New England Patriots have signed tight end Kellen Winslow and re-signed wide receiver Deion Branch.

The announcement Wednesday came three days after tight end Aaron Hernandez was sidelined with a right ankle injury. The Patriots have not said how many games they expect him to miss.

Winslow was released by the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 1 after spending the past three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He had 75 receptions last season and has 437 in his career.

The Patriots released Branch on the final roster cutdown after he caught 51 passes last season.

New England also re-signed linebacker Niko Koutouvides and released running back Lex Hilliard, linebacker Mike Rivera and wide receiver Greg Salas.