Report: Reggie Wayne Took Physical with Patriots

             The New York England Patriots are contemplating signing wide receiver Reggie Wayne. The six-time Pro Bowler flew to New England on Saturday night and took a physical with the Patriots on Sunday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. 
               Wayne has spent his entire 14-year NFL career as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. He leads all active receivers in career receptions (1,070) and receiving yards (14,345). Wayne, set to turn 37 in mid-November, played like a shell of his former self in 2014, catching 64 passes for 779 yards with two touchdowns in 15 games. 

Reggie Wayne could be teaming up with Tom Brady in New England this season. (Thomas J. Russo/USA Today Sports)

            The move makes sense for New England, which has been decimated by injuries this preseason. Julian Edelman has been out since Aug. 2 with a leg injury and Brandon LaFell has spent the entire camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Brian Tyms' season is in doubt after injuring his foot on Wednesday, and Brandon Gibson's status is unknown after sustaining a knee injury in the Patriots' 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday night.
            Devoid of a deep passing threat, Wayne might be just what the doctor ordered, despite his decreasing speed and production. He has stated his desire to play one final season in the NFL and the defending champion Patriots could offer him a storybook ending. Wayne, who won the Super Bowl with the Colts following the 2006 season, would give quarterback Tom Brady a veteran reinforcement at wideout. 
             Before New England and Indianapolis played last November, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick called Wayne “one of the best route runners maybe ever in the game.”

“He’s obviously just a tremendous wide receiver,” Belichick said. “A guy that’s extremely smart, very savvy wide receiver. Understands leverage, understands coverage, can read post-snap coverage disguises, has great hands. He’s really a very dependable and reliable guy. Obviously the bigger the situation, the more you would depend on him to be able to make the play.”

             If nothing else, adding Wayne would spice up New England's boiling rivalry with the Colts, who prompted the ceaseless Deflategate saga that began in January's AFC Championship.  The Patriots play the Colts on Oct. 18 in what would be Brady's first game of the season if his suspension holds.