The Steelers signed running back LeGarrette Blount to a two-year contract, the team announced today. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Blount (6-0, 250) was originally signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Oregon on April 26, 2010. After being released by the Titans prior to the start of the regular season, Blount was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 6, 2010. He played for Tampa Bay for three seasons (2010-12) and was traded to the New England Patriots on April 27, 2013.
In his first four seasons, Blount has started 28-of-56 games played, recording 2,711 rushing yards on 579 carries (4.7 avg.) with 20 touchdowns. He has also registered 202 yards on 23 receptions (8.8 avg.) and 494 yards on 17 kick returns (29.1 avg.). He was named to The Sporting News and PFW/PFWA All-Rookie Teams after rushing for 1,007 yards and six touchdowns on 201 carries (5.0 avg.). In the 2013 regular season, Blount again averaged five yards per carry (772 yards on 153 attempts) while also recording a career-best seven rushing touchdowns for the Patriots. Blount was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the final week of the 2013 regular season after he set a new Patriots single-game record with 334 all-purpose yards (189 rushing yards and 145 return yards). Blount's only postseason experience came with New England (2013), playing in two games with one start. In a victory over Indianapolis, he rushed 24 times for 166 yards and four touchdowns, marking the most rushing touchdowns in Patriots' history (regular and postseason) and the second most in a playoff game in NFL history.
