The Patriots have signed former Denver punter Corliss Waitman. (AP photo)

The New England Patriots have found themselves a punter.

They didn’t have one on the roster, but on Thursday signed former Denver punter Corliss Waitman.

Waitman, 27, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers out of South Alabama on April 28, 2020. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder spent the 2020 season on the Pittsburgh practice squad.

He was released by Pittsburgh on May 3, 2021 and was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders on July 26, 2021. Waitman was released by the Raiders at the end of training camp on Aug. 23, 2021 and was signed by New England to the practice squad on Nov. 23, 2021.

He was signed by Pittsburgh to the 53-man roster from the New England practice squad on Dec. 25, 2021 and played in two games with the Steelers. After being released by Pittsburgh, he was claimed off waivers by Denver and played in all 17 games with the Broncos last season. Overall, he has played in 19 NFL games and had 103 punts for 4,835 yards for a 46.9-yard average.

Waitman fills the void after the release of Jake Bailey. Bailey said in a recent interview that he injured his back doing leg squats in the weight room during the season and that he feels better now that he’s stopped that training regimen. He said his grievance with the Patriots has been settled and recently has signed with Miami.

EUKALE RE-SIGNED

The Patriots also kept one of their own, as they re-signed veteran defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale. Ekuale, a four-year veteran, has been with New England since Jacksonville released him in late August of 2021. He originally signed with Cleveland as a rookie free agent in 2018.

Overall, he has played in 38 regular season NFL games with five starts and has registered 36 total tackles and five sacks.

NEW ROLE FOR JUDGE

According to reports on Thursday, Patriots assistant coach Joe Judge will be given the title of assistant head coach, and will work often with special teams helping out assistants Cam Achord and Joe Houston.

Judge, who is still being paid by the Giants, will also work with the scouting department.

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