Patriots' Rex Burkhead: Joins New England backfield

The Patriots have signed Burkhead, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder carried 74 times for 344 yards and two TDs, while adding 17 catches for 145 yards in a part-time role with the Bengals last season. Given his ability to contribute on special teams, the addition of Burkhead could signal that the Patriots could move on from free-agent reserve Brandon Bolden. Burkhead joins a backfield that also consists of James White, Dion Lewis, D.J. Foster and Tyler Gaffney. Meanwhile, the team's leading rusher in 2016, LeGarrette Blount, remains a free agent, though it's still possible that he could be re-signed. Alternatively, the Patriots could look to add another "big back" to replace Blount via free agency or the draft.