Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) catches a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Cornerback Cyrus Jones re-signed with the New England Patriots on Wednesday and is likely to be asked to serve as a punt returner this week.

New England heavily tinkered with its 53-man roster since it was initially set prior to Week 1 to compensate for injuries and a lack of depth at multiple positions.

Jones signed a two-year deal, ESPN reported, to rejoin the Patriots. He was the team’s second-round pick in 2016 but was released Sept. 1.

Jones had four punt returns (20.5 yard average) as a junior at Alabama and New England has a dire need at the position.

Wide receiver Riley McCarron was released after Week 1, in part because one of the two punts he fielded bounced off his facemask.

Safety Patrick Chung was concussed in Week 2, and New England opted not to place a returner back on the next punt at Jacksonville.

--Field Level Media