Foxboro, MA (My Sportsbook) - The New England Patriots re-signed three players on Thursday: linebacker Eric Alexander, punter Chris Hanson and safety James Sanders.

Additionally, the club released linebacker Darrell Robertson.

Alexander, 27, has played in 31 games for the Patriots, recording eight career tackles and 26 special teams tackles.

The 10-year veteran Hanson has spent the last two seasons with the Patriots after six with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 118 career games, he has recorded 521 punts, with a 42.8 yard average. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 17 of the 2008 season after a 13-0 New England win over Buffalo.

Sanders was a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2005 out of Fresno State and has played in 55 games, including 36 starts, in his four-year career. He has totaled 198 tackles, one sack and five interceptions, including a touchdown.

Robertson spent some time on the Patriots' practice squad after going undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft. He also spent some time with the Cowboys organization and played two games for the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.