The New England Patriots have re-signed wide receiver Jonathan Smith and released another wideout, Bam Childress.

Smith, 24, from Georgia Tech, has past NFL experience with the Buffalo Bills. In 16 career games, the 5-foot-10, 194-pound Smith has 8 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. He has returned six kickoffs for 152 yards (a 25.3-yard average) and 15 punts for 198 yards (a 13.2-yard average), including a 70-yard touchdown against the Patriots in 2004. New England claimed Smith off waivers on Sept. 3, but released him before Sunday's season opener against his old team.

Childress is also 24, and signed with the Pats in 2005 as an undrafted free agent from Ohio State. He spent most of the season on the practice squad before making his NFL debut in the season finale against Miami.