The New England Patriots will sign running back Steven Jackson to their roster on Monday, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson.
Steven Jackson will sign with Patriots, per report; remains off fantasy radar
The Patriots will add an accomplished veteran running back to their roster. We break down the fantasy implications.
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It's the latest move that the Patriots will make after recently signing Montee Ball to their practice squad in wake of injuries to both LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis over the course of the season. Jackson appeared in 15 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2014, but has not had a season where he averaged at least four yards per carry since 2012.
Fantasy impact: Jackson fits the mold of Blount as a runner, but it cannot be assumed that he would be anywhere near as effective as the bruising back that the Patriots deployed earlier in the season. If anything, Jackson's presence would likely muddy the backfield distribution and nothing more, and it would be a stretch to assume he would take on as big of a workload as his predecessor. James White would likely remain the passing-down option in the backfield, while Brandon Bolden will assume the usual early-down duties with Jackson mixed in.
Jackson’s signing will likely have more of an impact for the Patriots’ hopeful playoff run rather than their remaining two regular season games, and should not be considered by fantasy owners that have made it this far in the fantasy football calendar.
