Rockingham Times

The New England Patriots are looking to bolster their offense, and this week the team invited three players for workouts, including former Carolina Panther Rodney Smith, who was a record-setting running back at the University of Minnesota.

Pats Pulpit reported that the 25-year-old Smith worked out with the team on Oct. 26.

“Patriots worked out Rodney Smith, Casey Tucker, Willie Wright,” Aaron Wilson tweeted Oct. 26. Wilson works for SportsTalk790 in Houston and covers the National Football League.

Smith was a sixth-year senior for Minnesota who was undrafted when he signed with the Panthers last season, according to Pats Pulpit. He had gone back and forth between the practice squad and the Carolina roster before being released from the scout team this month. 

Smith has played nine games in the NFL, where he rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries. He has also caught 14 passes for 107 yards. Over Smith’s college career, he had 29 rushing touchdowns and 5,441 all-purpose yards, which was a school record.

The Patriots are also looking to strengthen the team's offensive line, which has been inundated with injuries throughout this season. 

Willie Wright, a 25-year-old guard, came out of Tulsa and was undrafted in 2019. He has played for the Cleveland Browns and the Atlanta Falcons. He was waived from the Falcon practice squad in August.

Offensive tackle Casey Tucker worked out with the team as well. The 26-year-old was a rookie free agent who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 and stayed with them the past two seasons. He has also played for the Detroit Lions and the Indianapolis Colts.