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LeGarrette Blount returns to the New England Patriots

By Carl Cockerham

Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) attempts to tackle New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) attempts to tackle New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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Running back LeGarrette Blount was an important part of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl run in 2014. He followed it up well in 2015 until he missed the final four games and the playoffs with a chipped bone in his hip. Blount’s totals for the season, were 165 carries for 703 yards six TDs and a 4.3-yard per carry average.

The injury didn’t require surgery for the running back that will be 30 in December. However, many still wondered if he would be back with the team after his contract ran out at the end of the season. The Patriots signing Donald Brown away from the San Diego Chargers in free agency is one of those sneaky moves that could have spelled the end for Blount in New England.

The team already released third-year running back Tyler Gaffney just one day before re-signing Blount. But on Tuesday, he was signed to a one-year deal with the Patriots worth up to $2 million. The deal includes a $760,000 base salary, $100,000 signing bonus, $100,000 roster bonus and $1 million in incentives.

There was no real interest in Blount on the free-agent market with his injury while approaching 30. But Blount works well in the Patriots’ system and if he can stay on the field, his role should be similar to what it was before he was injured last year. Speaking of the injury, Blount is expected to be ready for organized team activities.

We’ll see Blount running the ball in 2016 out of the 2-tight end sets they’ll use in 2016.

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