The Boston Globe reported this afternoon that the Patriots are hosting LB Rosevelt Colvin at Gillette Stadium today for a tryout.

Colvin's potential return could mean that the injury Pierre Woods suffered against the Steelers -- announced as a mouth injury -- could be more serious. Even with Woods, New England is thin at outside linebacker since Adalius Thomas has been on the shelf with a broken arm; Woods, Mike Vrabel and rookie Vince Redd are the only outside backers on the roster.

Colvin spent 2003-07 with New England and was released in the offseason. He signed with Houston during training camp but was released before the start of the regular season and has not played a game this year.