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Updated: Ihedigbo says he's a Patriot

Print | Comments () Posted by Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff August 19, 2011 09:00 PM

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Update (9 p.m.) - The Patriots have announced the signing of the Northampton, Mass. native.

James Ihedigbo, the former UMass standout who has spent the last four years as a core special teams player and reserve safety with the Jets, apparently is the newest New England Patriot.

The 27-year old defensive back announced on his Twitter account that he has signed with the team:

Thanks to #jetsfans for all the love an support greatly appreciate it's on to a new chapter.....I'm Officially a New England Patriot!!!!!!

If Ihedigbo is aboard, he essentially takes the place of Bret Lockett, who was carted off the field last night with what appeared to be a groin injury. During his 4 p.m. conference call, Bill Belichick said he had no update on Lockett's health, but a league source told the Globe that Lockett had undergone an MRI.

Ihedigbo's Twitter account does have the all-important blue "verified" check mark, signifying that it's him, but we're working to confirm.