After being forced to coax Steven Jackson out of retirement to serve as the team's lead back in the playoffs, the Patriots entered the offseason looking for help at the position. On Wednesday they added at least one piece to the puzzle.
According to Fox Sports' Peter Schrager, New England signed veteran running back Donald Brown, adding him to the backfield mix.
Brown, 28, spent last season with San Diego but finished with just 229 yards on 59 carries, which translates to just 3.9-yard a carry. Over the course of his seven-year career, which includes stints with Indianapolis (2009-13) and the Chargers (2014-15), Brown has rushed 695 times for 2,289 yards (4.1-yard average) and 18 touchdowns. He's also proven to be a capable receiver during his career as he's grabbed 120 passes for 1,066 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Brown joins Brandon Bolden, Dion Lewis, James White, Tyler Gaffney and fullback James Develin in a Patriots backfield that will most certainly be looking to add additional pieces before training camp. The team previously met with restricted free agent Benny Cunningham and veteran free agent James Starks but thus far Brown represents the only signing.
LeGarrette Blount, currently a free agent, also has expressed interest in returning to the fold.
