Report: Patriots Making Calls On Vincent Jackson, Running Backs
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots may be in first place in the AFC East, but a flood of injuries has the team seeking improvement as the trade deadline draws near.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Buccaneers have been receiving steady interest from teams looking to acquire wide receiver Vincent Jackson, and the Patriots are among that group.
"Vincent Jackson still generating trade interest," Rapoport tweeted. "Among the more than 4 teams calling around: Eagles, Pats, Seahawks. Bucs want real value."
The Patriots and Buccaneers, of course, completed a significant trade late in the preseason, with New England sending veteran guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay in exchange for Tim Wright and a draft pick.
The Buccaneers enter Sunday with a 1-5 record, putting them in last place in the NFC South.
Jackson, 31, has 25 receptions for 344 yards and two touchdowns this season, leading the Bucs in all three categories. He has two years left on his contract after this season and is due to make nearly $10 million in each season.
The Patriots may be looking beyond the receiver position, too, as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported that the team is trying to add a running back. In what may or may not be a related news item, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Bucs are likely to trade running back Doug Martin prior to the deadline.
Martin has just 139 yards on 48 carries this season, but he ran for 1,454 yards in his rookie season in 2012.
There's an obvious void on the roster after Stevan Ridley suffered a season-ending injury against the Bengals.
The trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m.
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