In the past few weeks, injuries plagued the key offensive players of the defending National Football League (NFL) champions New England Patriots and to address this, they signed veteran wide receiver Damaris Johnson. 

Before the addition of Johnson, the Patriots already lost running back Dion Lewis for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); wide receivers Julian Edelman (foot) and Danny Amendola (knee) who are expected to still return this season; and tight end Rob Gronkowski (knee) who is reported to be week-to-week.

The injuries to those players were a huge blow for the Pats since they are efficient contributors and together with franchise quarterback Tom Brady are leading the team's offense. 

Now, Johnson will try to at least have significant playing minutes and fill in for those missing links when the Patriots return to action this Sunday against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Johnson started his National Football League (NFL) career with the Eagles for which he played two seasons in 2012 and 2013. 

Last season, the 26-year-old wide receiver spent time with the Houston Texans playing in 16 regular season games and was with the team during this year's training camp before being released last September, according to the Patriots website. 

In his entire NFL career, Johnson played in 43 games having 52 receptions for 601 yards and only one touchdown. 

Along with the signing of Johnson, the Patriots also claimed running back Trey Williams off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys. 

Williams was an undrafted rookie this year from Texas A&M and before joining the Cowboys and New England, also had a stop with the Washington Redskins. 

The additions are not the only roster moves the Patriots had recently, as defensive lineman Trey Flowers was placed on injured reserve, while wide receiver Austin Hill was re-signed to the practice squad, a report on the team's website stated. 

Trey Williams