The Patriots signed free agent cornerback Lewis Sanders and free agent safety Tank Williams on Thursday. Terms of the deals were not released. Sanders notched 32 tackles and two passes defended in 14 games with the Falcons last season before being placed on injured reserve in December with a chest injury. Atlanta released him last month. The 29-year-old has posted 172 tackles, five interceptions and one sack over his eight-year career with Cleveland, Houston and Atlanta.
Williams recorded 18 tackles on defense and seven stops on special teams over 13 games with Minnesota in 2007. The 27-year-old has 303 tackles, five interceptions and four-and-a-half sacks over six pro seasons with Tennessee and Minnesota. He also has 27 passes defended, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries over 70 career games.