Patriots Trade For Tampa Linebacker Jonathan Casillas
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots have added another linebacker just ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.
The Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers finalized a deal that sends linebacker Jonathan Casillas to New England.
Casillas, who went undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2009, has 138 combined tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble over his five-year NFL career. In five games for the Buccaneers in 2014, he recorded nine combined tackles.
The #Bucs are finishing up a trade to send LB Jonathan Casillas to the #Patriots, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 28, 2014
Before joining the Bucs in 2013, Casillas spent the first three seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints. He was credited with recovering a third-quarter onside kick for New Orleans in their Super Bowl XLIV win over the Indianapolis Colts in 2010.
The Patriots needed some additional depth at linebacker following a season-ending injury to Jerod Mayo in Week 6. New England also acquired linebacker Akeem Ayers from the Tennessee Titans last week.
The Patriots traded their fifth-round pick for Casillas, and they'll receive the Bucs' sixth-round pick as well, according to Adam Schefter.
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