The New England Patriots have signed offensive lineman Thomas Welch to the team's practice squad after releasing Welch from the 53-man roster on Monday.

Welch, a 2010 Patriots seventh-round pick out of Vanderbilt, has spent this season doing the hokey pokey into and off of New England's 53-man roster. He saw his first NFL action this year against the Miami Dolphins, but was released from the 53-man roster two days after the game and signed to the practice squad the following day. Before the Raiders game, on Oct. 1, Welch was again signed to the 53-man roster. 

The 6-7, 310-pound Welch spent most of last season on Minnesota's practice squad, but was released by Minnesota and signed by the Patriots shortly before the start of the 2011 regular season.