FOXBORO — The New England Patriots made a bit of a surprise move yesterday, waiving young punter Danny Baugher — who seemingly had fended off two other challengers to win the starting job — and signing veteran Chris Hanson.

Hanson was cut by New Orleans earlier this week, where he was battling second-year player Steve Weatherford. Weatherford was an undrafted rookie last year.

The 30-year-old Hanson had been cut by Jacksonville earlier this year, after the Jaguars drafted Maryland’s Adam Podlesh in the fourth round. Hanson spent six years in Jacksonville, making the Pro Bowl in 2002.

The 6-foot-2, 202-pound punter played at Marshall, where he was a teammate of Randy Moss. Last year with the Jaguars, Hanson averaged 40.6 yards on 72 punts, with 20 offerings inside the 20-yard line and one block.

Unfortunately for Hanson, he is known more for his off-field incidents than his on-field accomplishments. In 2003, then-rookie Jags coach Jack Del Rio placed a tree stump and axe inside the team’s locker room with the team motto, “Keep Chopping Wood.” Hanson took a swing one day and missed, gashing his leg so badly that he had to be placed on injured reserve, missing the final 11 games of the season.

In 2002, he and then-teammate Jaret Holmes sustained burns at Hanson’s home when the two were moving a fondue pot and it broke on a tile floor.

Last night, Hanson’s first three punts averaged 39 yards; his offering at the end of the first half was downed by Dante Wesley at the 3-yard line.

It was OK,” coach Bill Belichick said of Hanson’s performance. “I’ve seen a lot worse, put it that way.”

Lua injures leg

Rookie linebacker Oscar Lua, a fan favorite who seemed on track to make the 53-man roster, saw his night come to an early end against New York.

The USC product started at inside linebacker with Eric Alexander, and was calling the defensive plays in the huddle. But during the Giants’ first possession — the first drive of the game — Lua was hurt on a Brandon Jacobs run play and limped off the field.

He sat on the Patriots’ sideline and was getting his right leg worked on before heading back into the locker room. A short time later, it was announced that he would not be returning.

First string sits it out

Though none of New England’s starters played in last night’s game, nearly all were on the field for warm-ups before the game began. But there were some missing, including: CB Asante Samuel, S Rodney Harrison, S Eugene Wilson, TE Kyle Brady, WR Randy Moss, DL Kareem Brown, DL Mike Wright, and S Rashad Baker, as well as TE David Thomas and DL Richard Seymour, both of whom remain on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Ty Warren, who was injured early in New England’s preseason opener against the Buccaneers, was on the field in uniform during warm-ups but did not play. Junior Seau and Kevin Faulk, who did not play last week against Carolina, also took part in warm-ups.

Team wins award again

The Patriots’ Player Development was given an award by the NFL last night for excellence in educating players about financial management. It was the second straight year the team has received such recognition.

Harold Nash Jr. and Katie Douglass support off-field player development; for the financial management program, the team worked with a local college and conducted 16 sessions for players and significant others on real estate, offseason budgeting, and basic banking.

DeOssie having fun

Former Brown star Zak DeOssie had five solo tackles and also handled long-snapping duties on punts last night for New York. “I’m enjoying every minute of,” his pro experience, DeOssie said. “I’m very excited for the upcoming season and I can’t wait.” DeOssie said the biggest adjustment going from the Ivy League to the NFL has been the speed of the game – a common refrain with all rookies – and the players’ size.

smanza@projo.com