Patriots reportedly add RB Kenjon Barner

It’s been a busy day for the Patriots. They’ve reportedly added a pair of wide receivers, and now, they have a new running back, as Kenjon Barner has reportedly agreed to a deal with New England.

The 28-year-old Barner has spent a few seasons knocking around the NFL — the 5-foot-9, 195-pounder has spent time with Carolina and Philadelphia, and has 77 carries for 317 yards and 21 catches for 127 yards in his NFL career. His biggest asset, other than the fact he adds some depth to a suddenly thin backfield?


He has experience as a punt and kick returner. And while it will presumably take some time for him to get assimilated into the New England offense, it’s completely feasible to see him as a punt returner this weekend against the Jaguars. Last year for the Eagles, he had 27 punt returners for 240 yards, a respectable 8.9 yards per return average. (For some perspective, Danny Amendola had 27 punt returners for 231 yards in 2017, an average of 8.6 yards per return.)

For his career, Barner, who reportedly worked out for the Patriots last week, has 30 career punt returns and an 8.6 career return average. He has 22 career kick returns for 498 yards for an average of 22.6 yards per return in that department.