FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Griff Whalen was one of three free-agent wide receivers that the New England Patriots worked out on Thursday morning, and he ultimately was the team's choice to sign to help fill the void created by Danny Amendola's ankle injury. His punt-returning experience might have been what ultimately swayed the choice in his favor.
Whalen and the Patriots agreed to a one-year deal through the remainder of the 2016 season (which would include the playoffs), per NFL sources.
To make room for Whalen, the Patriots waived defensive tackle Darius Kilgo, whom they had claimed on waivers from the Denver Broncos last week.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Whalen, like Amendola, has extensive experience in the slot. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 2012 with the Indianapolis Colts and has totaled 47 receptions for 509 yards and three touchdowns over four seasons.
After spending the offseason with the Miami Dolphins in 2016, he was released before the season opener and hooked on with the San Diego Chargers two weeks later. Whalen was released by the Chargers -- who under coach Mike McCoy adopt some of the same principles as Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels because of McCoy's time as an assistant on McDaniels' Denver Broncos staff -- on Nov. 22.
Whalen gives the Patriots a fourth pure receiver to join starters Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan and impressive rookie Malcolm Mitchell. With the club still adjusting to the loss of tight end Rob Gronkowski, which included using the four-receiver package nine times in Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Rams, the addition of Whalen could ultimately provide more flexibility.
He also adds depth at punt returner, where the Patriots have had issues with rookie Cyrus Jones in the role, which led them to tap Amendola on Sunday before his injury.