Pats sign Branch, Winslow, Koutouvides

The New England Patriots re-signed wide receiver Deion Branch and linebacker Niko Koutouvides, and added tight end Kellen Winslow, the team announced.

The team also released running back Lex Hilliard, linebacker Mike Rivera and wide receiver Greg Salas.

Branch, 33, was released from training camp Aug. 31. He was a second-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2002, traded to the Seattle Seahawks, and reacquired in 2010. He caught 51 passes for 702 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games last season.

Winslow, 29, played eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent training camp with the Seahawks, but was released Sept. 1. He's played in 92 games, and has 437 receptions for 4,836 yards and 23 touchdowns.