THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have claimed rookie defensive back Bret Lockett off waivers from Cleveland and released receiver Greg Lewis.

Lockett was signed by the Browns as a rookie free agent out of UCLA in May.

Lewis was acquired by the Patriots from Philadelphia in a trade in March after playing his first six NFL seasons with the Eagles. He has 127 receptions for 1,699 yards and seven touchdowns in 90 career games.

The Patriots also signed seven players to their practice squad: defensive linemen Titus Adams, Adrian Grady and Darryl Richard, offensive tackle Patrick Brown, wide receiver Terrence Nunn, quarterback Isaiah Stanback and cornerback DeAngelo Willingham.