The New England Patriots signed rookie linebacker Deontae Skinner to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Saturday and released linebacker Darius Fleming.

Skinner, 23, was originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent out of Mississippi State on May 12. The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder was released by the Patriots on Aug. 26 and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1.

Fleming, 25, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on May 16. The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth-round in 2012 out of Notre Dame. He spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons on injured reserve with a knee injury and was released by the 49ers on May 12. He was inactive last week at the Miami Dolphins.