Free agent running back Felix Jones, the 2008 first-round draft choice who has spent the first five years of his career with the Cowboys, is scheduled to work out for the Patriots on Thursday, a source confirms.
The 26-year-old Jones, who reportedly visited the Eagles on Tuesday, played in all 16 games last season (7 starts) and finished with 402 yards on 111 carries (3.6 average) and three touchdowns, while adding 25 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
He was scheduled to arrive in town Wednesday night, and then spend part of the day at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
The Patriots' running back corps is headlined by third-year veteran Stevan Ridley, who played a team-high 45 percent of the offensive snaps last season. Change-of-pace running back Danny Woodhead was next in line at 34 percent, and third-year veteran Shane Vereen (12 percent) is the leading candidate to fill that void this year.
Meanwhile, Brandon Bolden (5-foot-11, 220 pounds) and LeGarrette Blount (6-0, 247) are other options behind Ridley, while veteran Leon Washington -- who was primarily a returner over the last three seasons in Seattle -- fits more in the Woodhead/Vereen role.
When projecting in what role Jones might appeal to the Patriots, his pass-catching skills (he had 48 catches in 2010) stand out. With Woodhead (40 catches in 2012) now with the Chargers, the Patriots appear to be considering depth options behind Vereen, or at the least simply doing their due diligence. Injuries have slowed Jones down at times over his first five seasons in the league.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported Jones' workout with the Patriots.