The Patriots are talking about an expanded role for James White now that they’ve lost Dion Lewis for the season, but they’re also looking at other running backs on the open market to see if someone might be a good fit for their offense.
According to multiple reports, the team worked out Pierre Thomas and Robert Turbin on Thursday.
Thomas spent a week with the 49ers before being released on Tuesday when they signed former Patriot Travaris Cadet to round out their backfield. He ran four times for 12 yards in their victory over the Falcons. He didn’t catch any passes, although that was a major part of his game during his eight years with the Saints and would seem to be the most pressing need for the Patriots in the wake of Lewis’s injury.
Turbin was dropped by the Browns this week after playing three games for them. He landed in Cleveland after being waived by the Seahawks and recovered from an ankle injury to get a spot in the lineup, but two fumbles helped put him back on the street this week.