Patriots Add RB Montee Ball, WR DeAndre Carter To Roster
BOSTON (CBS) -- The football season is long, and with three weeks to go, the Patriots have called in some reinforcements.
The team added two players on Tuesday: running back Montee Ball and rookie receiver DeAndre Carter. Both players join the practice squad, with receiver Austin Hill and defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles getting released.
Ball, 25, made a name for himself during the 2013 season with Denver, when he rushed for 559 yards (4.7 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns. Last year, he played in just five games, rushing for 172 yards and a touchdown, before a groin injury ended his season. He was cut by the Broncos before this season began.
Carter, 22, went undrafted in 2015 before signing with the Ravens. He was cut in August and ended up on Oakland's practice squad before getting released earlier this month. Carter played his college football at Sacramento State, and in his senior season he caught 99 passes for 1,321 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Patriots are thin at running back, with Dion Lewis already lost for the year and LeGarrette Blount suffering a hip injury on Sunday night. The receiver depth has taken a hit, too, with Julian Edelman breaking his foot last month, though Edelman is expected to be able to return for the postseason.
Ball played college football at Wisconsin, where he was teammates with current Patriots running back James White. That duo combined to rush for 2,636 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2012.
