Report: Patriots Worked Out Former Steelers WR Justin Hunter

The New England Patriots worked out free agent and former Steelers wide receiver Justin Hunter on Monday, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Patriots may have a need for Hunter because starting wide receiver Julian Edelman is expected to miss time during training camp with a thumb injury.

Hunter played in 11 games with the Steelers in each of the past two season, making one start. In two years, he caught seven balls for 44 yards and one touchdown. The former Tennessee star has also played with the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. He had a career-best 498 yards for the Titans in 2014.

The Patriots may have additional motivation for signing Hunter when compared to some of the other available free agents, especially since the Patriots will host the Steelers in Week 1. That game will be played on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 8:20 p.m.

He is one of several players that were with the Steelers last season that have not signed as free agents, along with Malik Golden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Stevan Ridley and Coty Sensabaugh.

The Steelers re-signed receiver Eli Rogers, went outside the organization to bring in Donte Moncrief and drafted Toledo’s Diontae Johnson in the third round instead of bringing back Hunter.