Report: Patriots Contacted RB Danny Woodhead Before He Retired
The Patriots reportedly contacted free-agent running back Danny Woodhead before he announced his retirement.
Danny Woodhead carries the football for the New England Patriots, circa 2012. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)UPDATE: Danny Woodhead has announced his retirement via Instagram, giving Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears a shout-out in the process.
The Patriots have reportedly contacted Danny Woodhead, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The Falcons also reportedly contacted the free-agent running back.
Woodhead played in 45 games for the Patriots from 2010-12, catching 92 of 130 targets for 982 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns from Tom Brady. He also rushed 250 times for 1,199 yards (a 4.8-yard average) and 10 rushing touchdowns in his three seasons.
The 33-year-old went on to play four years with the Chargers and the 2017 season with the Ravens, who released him on Monday. He's played just 10 games in the past two seasons due to multiple injuries; he tore his ACL early in the 2016 season for the Chargers, and missed eight games for the Ravens in 2017 due to hitting Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury.
Danny Woodhead celebrates after catching a three-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady for the New England Patriots against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Woodhead joined the league as an undrafted free agent with the Jets, but only lasted one season and part of a second in New York. He's gone on to earn over $15 million in 10 NFL seasons, spurred by a successful run in New England. As you may or may not recall, he caught all four targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVI against the Giants.
It's unclear how much Woodhead has left in the proverbial tank at this point - and whether he could even stay healthy, let alone be the same kind of weapon for Brady that he's been in the past. But if the Patriots did sign him, he'd certainly be an addition to the offense that Brady would trust.
With the departure of Dion Lewis, the Patriots clearly look to be prioritizing the running back position. They've re-signed Rex Burkhead and could be targeting one in the draft, based on their recent pre-draft activity.
-- By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
