Report: Patriots Signing RB Kenjon Barner
The 29-year-old Barner returned 27 punts for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
Aug 24, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Kenjon Barner (38) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
eremy Brevard/USA TODAY SportsThe New England Patriots have reportedly found a potential solution to their punt returning issues in running back Kenjon Barner, who will be signed to their 53-man roster, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.
The 29-year-old Barner, who was among the group of eight that came to Foxboro for a workout with the Patriots last week, will sign with the Patriots after spending the 2017 season with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
During his one-year run with the Eagles, Barner had 27 punt returns for a total of 240 yards (8.9 yards per return). Barner also came through with three kick returns for 73 yards in the Eagles' Super Bowl LII win over the Patriots.
In a four-year NFL career spent between the Panthers and Eagles, Barner has returned 30 punts for 259 yards.
The Patriots got a look at Barner in their preseason head-to-head with the Carolina Panthers this summer.
Barner joins the Patriots after a spot on the team's running back depth chart was opened up following the season-ending torn ACL suffered by veteran back Jeremy Hill, and after Riley McCarron fumbled his way off the Patriots' 53-man roster with a muffed punt late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 27-20 win over the Houston Texans.
