LeGarrette Blount's stint as a free agent might not last for long. The running back went unclaimed off waivers following his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The running back has some drama surrounding his name after a preseason arrest on marijuana charges and an early exit from the locker room following a win on Monday Night Football. However, that is apparently not deterring interest as Blount could be back with some familiar faces sooner rather than later.
According to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com, Blount is at the Patriots facility and is expected to sign with the team on Thursday. The move is not surprising considering Blount spent last season in New England following a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He saw a solid amount of success with the team, rushing for 772 yards while averaging over five yards per carry. His highlight was a four-touchdown game against the Indianapolis Colts. Blount proved he is a good fit for their offense and right now, the Patriots are searching for playmakers to get them into the postseason.
The Patriots have been short on backfield contributors despite having a stocked roster. The team lost starter Stevan Ridley for the season following a torn ACL and have been trying to get by with Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden, James Develin and James White. Ridley still leads the rushing group despite being out. However, the Patriots are starting to see success with an unexpected player, Jonas Gray who is playing his first season in the NFL following a stint as a standup comedian. Gray had a breakout game against the Colts, rushing for 201 yards and four touchdowns. However, the Patriots are concerned that success might not be consistent considering the only other major game he had was against the Chicago Bears putting up 86 yards.
Fantasy owners would be wise to keep Blount on their roster. The running back, if officially signed, might dress for the game against the Detroit Lions, but it is likely that Gray will get the majority of the carries. However, Blount has proven that he runs well in the Patriots system and can be a reliable back which will get him more action as the season continues.