Veteran linebacker Jamie Collins reportedly nearing third tour with Patriots after release from Lions

A third tour nears for Jamie Collins.

The New England Patriots are working towards an agreement with the veteran linebacker, as ESPN’s Field Yates first reported Tuesday evening.

Collins, who turns 32 this October, was released by the Detroit Lions before the calendar turned from September after no trade attempts reached fruition.

The Lions had signed Collins to a three-year, $30 million contract that featured $18 million guaranteed in March 2020. Both sides agreed to a restructure after the initial season of the pact, converting $5 million of the Southern Mississippi product’s $8.8 million base salary into a signing bonus while adding three voidable years.

Collins started 16 games during his stay in Detroit, recording 135 tackles to go with seven sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two interceptions. The former Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro played 100 snaps this season before being inactive for Week 3.

Entering the NFL in the second round of the 2013 draft with New England, Collins won a Super Bowl XLIX ring before being acquired by the Cleveland Browns at the 2016 trade deadline. He reconvened with the Patriots in 2019, starting 15 contests and recording a career-high seven sacks.

The Patriots visit the Houston Texans for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday at NRG Stadium.