The New England Patriots’ patience in adding a running back paid off Sunday.
The Patriots signed Bishop Sankey, a 2014 second-round pick, to their practice squad, a source told NESN.com. Sankey was released by the Tennessee Titans on Saturday and passed through waivers unclaimed Sunday.
Sankey ran for 762 yards on 199 carries with three touchdowns in two seasons with the Titans. He fits the Patriots’ profile for a third-down back at 5-foot-10, 209 pounds, and he caught 32 passes for 272 yards with one score in two NFL seasons.
Sankey was highly productive in three college seasons at Washington, where he ran for 3,496 yards with 37 touchdowns on 644 carries. He caught 67 passes for 567 yards with one touchdown for the Huskies.
The Patriots have LeGarrette Blount, James White, Brandon Bolden and D.J. Foster at running back on their active roster. Sankey will compete with White and Foster in practice to prove he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster.
Sankey is a stellar athlete. He ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine with a 6.75-second 3-cone drill, 4-second short shuttle, 35 1/2-inch vertical leap, 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump and 26 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
