The San Diego Chargers have signed veteran safety Patrick Watkins, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

First-year wide receiver Gary Banks has been released.

A fifth-round (138th overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Florida State by the Dallas Cowboys, Watkins totaled 122 tackles and four interceptions in 49 games over the last four seasons. 36 of Watkins' tackles have come on special teams, a statistic Watkins led the Cowboys in during the 2007 season.

A restricted free agent tendered at the "Original Round" level this off-season, Watkins was released by the Cowboys on August 30.