Junior Seau's brief retirement ended Friday when the 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker agreed to a contract with the New England Patriots.
The team didn't disclose terms of the deal with Seau, whose signing followed four days of on-again, off-again signals about whether the 37-year-old would return to the NFL.
The Patriots needed another linebacker because Tedy Bruschi has a broken hand and Willie McGinest, a mainstay of their three Super Bowl titles, signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. Chad Brown and Monte Beisel also are hurt.
Seau announced his retirement Monday, after the Miami Dolphins cut him following three unremarkable seasons.
"It's pretty easy. When a team doesn't want you or need you, retire, buddy," he told a crowd of family, friends, players and team executives Monday at the headquarters of the San Diego Chargers, his longtime team.
But even as he announced his retirement, Seau said he was healthy and still able to play. Asked if his decision was irreversible, Seau said: "I can't answer that. I really can't."