FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots added running back depth after seeing starter LeGarrette Blount go down with a hip injury Sunday.
Running back Montee Ball had a locker at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday. Ball signed to the Patriots’ practice squad, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Rookie wide receiver DeAndre Carter, who worked out with the Patriots last week, also had a locker at Gillette.
Ball was selected No. 58 overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2013 NFL Draft. Ball has 175 carries for 731 yards with five touchdowns in 21 career games. He also has 29 receptions for 207 yards through the air.
Ball, who was roommates with Patriots running back James White at Wisconsin, ran for 5,140 yards on 924 carries in four college seasons. He’s second in FBS history with 77 career touchdowns. He also accumulated 59 receptions for 598 yards with six touchdowns.
Ball was waived by the Broncos on Sept. 6 and has been a free agent since.
The 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash at his pro day in 2013 with a 4.11-second short shuttle. He ran a 6.88-second 3-cone drill with a 32-inch vertical leap and 9-foot, 10-inch at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Blount reportedly was spotted on crutches at the Patriots’ facility Tuesday.
Carter, who’s 5-foot-8, 188 pounds, Â ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash with a 6.64-second 3-cone, 3.80-second short shuttle, 38.5-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump at his pro day in March.
He was cut from the Raiders’ practice squad Dec. 1.
Thumbnail photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
