Because of injuries to Fred Taylor (ankle) and Sammy Morris (knee), New England may be in the market to plug some holes in its depleted backfield, and they could have an interest in St. Louis running back Steven Jackson, the Sporting News' Mike Florio reports.
The Patriots and Rams might be compatible trade partners due to St. Louis' need to remold its future with high draft picks and New England's abundance of high picks in the upcoming drafts. As of Monday, the Patriots have one first-round pick and three second-rounders in 2010 and two first-round picks and one second-rounder in 2011.
Jackson, 26, is in his sixth season in the NFL. The 6-foot-2, 236-pound back has run for at least 1,000 yards in four of his first six seasons, including a career-high 1,528 yards in 2006. The Oregon State alum also ran for 13 scores that season and has 37 career rushing touchdowns in 75 games played. Although he has yet to find paydirt this year for the 0-6 Rams, he is fourth in the league with 501 rushing yards.
The Patriots are currently 13th in the NFL with 116.3 rushing yards per game.
