The Patriots have added an NFL-high fifth running back to their 53-man roster.
Tyler Gaffney, who was previously on the practice squad in New England, has been added to the active roster.
Gaffney joins a crowded backfield that also includes LeGarrette Blount, James White, Brandon Bolden and D.J. Foster. New England also has fullback James Develin, who may play some tight end now that the Patriots are down to just two tight ends on their roster following the A.J. Derby trade.
The 25-year-old Gaffney has never played in an NFL regular-season game. A 2014 sixth-round pick of the Panthers out of Stanford, Gaffney was injured in training camp in both 2014 with the Panthers and 2015 with the Patriots but is now poised to get on the field in the NFL for the first time.
