The Patriots have added a new face to their stable of running backs.
The team announced on Tuesday afternoon that it had signed unrestricted free agent Rex Burkhead to give their backfield -- and their special-teams units -- some depth.
At 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Burkhead doesn't have the same kind of physical presence LeGarrette Blount (250 pounds) did for the Patriots last season, but he's a hard-charging runner with some scheme versatility.
Burkhead rushed 74 times for 344 yards (4.6 yards per attempt) last season and averaged 3.0 yards after contact. By comparison, Blount averaged 2.5 yards per carry after contact.
Burkhead is also a capable receiver who caught 17 passes for 145 yards last season.
A sixth-round pick out of Nebraska in 2013, Burkhead became a regular in the Cincinnati offense for the first time last season. Through the first three years of his career he had 13 total rushes for 31 yards and seven catches on 10 targets. He was, however, used extensively on special teams to cover kicks and punts, which surely bumped up his value in the eyes of the Patriots.
Both Blount and former Patriots running back Brandon Bolden are free agents at the moment.