Patriots to sign DE Andre Carter

It looks like the New England Patriots are looking towards the past when it comes to reinforcing their depleted defense.

According to Pro Football Talk, via Josina Anderson of ESPN, veteran defensive end Andre Carter will sign with the Patriots later today. Carter last played with the Patriots in 2011.

Carter, 34, had a great season the last time he played for the Patriots, recording 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and was even chosen for the Pro Bpwl. However, Carter did not return to the Patriots in 2012, and instead signed with the Oakland Raiders, where he had a disappointing season. Oakland cut him this year before the start of the regular season.

Carter, the seventh overall pick in 2001 for the San Francisco 49ers has had an up and down career. He has four seasons with double-digit sack totals–his highest being 12.5 coming in 2002–but also has five seasons with less than five sacks.

If Andre Carter can return to the form he showed during his last stint in New England, he would be a brilliant mid-season signing, and could potentially upgrade the Patriots’ defense. If he can’t, than perhaps this blast from the past should have remained a memory for the New England Patriots.