The Patriots signed wide receiver Austin Collie on Thursday, giving Tom Brady and the passing game another weapon to work with. But the Patriots didn’t make the deal without some insurance.
Collie’s one-year deal with the Patriots is worth $715,000, which pro-rates down to $546,765 over the final 13 weeks of the season. The Patriots did protect themselves in the deal, though, including an injury waiver that would split his salary in half, according to The National Football Post.
Collie, 27, has a history of concussions, which caused him to miss almost all of the 2012 season. His injury history and slow recovery from the debilitating concussion he suffered in the season opener last year were major reasons behind his availability on the free-agent market at this point in the season.
When healthy, Collie proved to be one of the best slot receivers in football. He caught 172 passes and 16 touchdowns with the Colts from 2009 to 2011. If that Collie is the one the Patriots are getting, then they’re making away with highway robbery. If the injury issues crop up again, though, at least they have some protection.
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Photo via Twitter/@MikeReiss
