Patriots WR Julian Edelman (hand, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 4. This should mean a few extra snaps for Deion Branch.

Patriots WR Julian Edelman (hand) missed practice again Thursday. Edelman was supposed to be evaluated on Wednesday, so this is not a very good sign. We do not expect him to play and Week 4, which means that Deion Branch could see extra snaps.

The Patriots re-signed WR Deion Branch.

The Patriots waived WR Deion Branch.

The only play Patriots WR Deion Branch wasn’t on the field was the two-point conversion in the second quarter. From this view, a performance like that would seem to solidify his standing in the No. 3 receiver spot behind Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd.

Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, the outside threat, turns 31 on Thursday, was dynamite throughout the offseason program, sticking out as much as any Patriot on the field, but those practices are conducive to passing success.

The key is gaining Brady’s trust during game situations, and the tandem has worked diligently on that process. The Patriots have scored more points than any team over the last two years without any semblance of an outside threat across from Deion Branch. If Lloyd becomes that guy, it’ll be a track meet for the offense.

We have Lloyd as our 29th best WR option in standard leagues with an ADP of the seventh round. He certainly has the potential to be a very important part to the New England offense, and, to exceed his current ranking if the connection mentioned above is made with Brady. The key for drafting Lloyd seems to be not taking him too early.

If there is room for one more Patriots receiver outside of special-teams captain Matthew Slater and returner Julian Edelman, the battle will likely come down to Donte Stallworth and Deion Branch and which of the two veterans has more left in the tank.

Patriots WR Jabar Gaffney continues to work in the slot but behind Wes Welker. Donte' Stallworth is an outside threat but he hasn’t stood out. Deion Branch continues to be unimpressive. The guy catches everything but his burst is diminishing.

ESPN writer James Walker speculates about how the Patriots' WR corps will shake out:

Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney are locks. That leaves four roster spots, at most, for receivers. Deion Branch is in because he's a solid veteran who knows the offense well. I think you also keep Matthew Slater as the No. 7 receiver, mostly due to the fact he's a Pro Bowler on special teams and a team captain. The final two spots are really up in the air. I think Chad Ochocinco, Anthony Gonzalez and Donte Stallworth all have a realistic chance. Julian Edelman looks like the definite odd man out following the Gaffney signing.

Edelman is a versatile player who can return kicks and even play some defensive back if necessary. It's going to be interesting to see how the Patriots WR corps shakes out, but versatility is key for those players on the roster bubble.

WR Jabar Gaffney told Josina Anderson of ESPN that he will be signing a deal with the Patriots soon. Gaffney played for the Pats from 2006-2008, catching 85 passes for 1,059 yards and eight touchdowns. His production spiked after leaving New England, he has 187 catches over the last three years, but he was a reliable target for Tom Brady when he was in New England.

The Patriots have added Brandon Lloyd, Donte’ Stallworth and Anthony Gonzalez to a receiving group that already included Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco and Julian Edelman. Wes Welker will also be back, whether he signs his franchise tender or a long-term deal, and that makes for a crowded depth chart.

The NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports that the deal is for two years.