FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Following the season-ending torn ACL sustained by Dion Lewis on Sunday, one lingering question for the New England Patriots is if they will sign another running back to help fill the void.
The club took a closer look at two options Thursday -- longtime New Orleans Saint Pierre Thomas and former Seattle Seahawk Robert Turbin.
The 30-year-old Thomas has excelled as a pass-catcher (77 receptions in 2013) and in blitz pickup during his career. Those are two of the main areas in which Lewis was making his mark with the Patriots.
The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Thomas was with the Saints from 2007-2014, and this season had been unsigned until joining the 49ers on Nov. 3. He played in Sunday's win over the Falcons, and was released earlier this week when San Francisco signed running back Travaris Cadet.
Meanwhile, the 5-foot-10, 222-pound Turbin has played with the Seahawks (2012-2014) and Browns (three games this season). He has 45 career receptions.
Earlier this week, the Patriots also worked out running back Daryl Richardson.
In addition to those workouts, the Patriots waived safety Dewey McDonald from the 53-man roster and promoted linebacker Eric Martin from the practice squad Thursday. Martin's promotion could be an indication that the Patriots don't plan to have linebacker Jamie Collins for Sunday's game against the Giants.