Patriots Sign Linebacker Josh Hull To Bolster Special Teams

The New England Patriots bolstered their special teams unit by adding a former Washington Redskins linebacker.

The Patriots announced they signed Josh Hull on Thursday. Hull spent the 2013 season with the Redskins and started his career with the St. Louis Rams.

Hull was drafted in the seventh round (No. 254 overall) in the 2010 NFL draft. He played just one defensive snap last season, but he recorded 14 tackles on special teams with the Redskins.

The Patriots lost special teams-ace linebacker Dane Fletcher in free agency to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots also lost free-agent linebacker Brandon Spikes to the Buffalo Bills.

Hull ran a 4.76-second 40-yard dash coming out of Penn State in 2010 with a 6.73-second three-cone drill and 4.07-second short shuttle — elite numbers for a linebacker. He has 25 career tackles in four NFL seasons, and he forced one fumble as a rookie with the Rams.

Terms of Hull’s contract have not been disclosed.