National Football League

Patriots bring back center Koppen

Published Apr. 16, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The New England Patriots have re-signed center Dan Koppen and signed first-year placekicker Chris Koepplin.

The 32-year-old Koppen is a veteran of nine seasons with the Patriots, but missed all but the opening game of 2011 with a left knee injury. He has started 120 of 121 regular-season games and 14 postseason games and has been a steady blocker for Tom Brady since joining the team in 2003.

In New England's undefeated regular season of 2007, Koppen made the Pro Bowl.

Koepplin, 26, was in training camp with the Patriots last year and was cut at the end of August. He played at Massachusetts in 2006 and 2007 and also has played Arena Football.