Patriots place RB LeGarrette Blount on non-football injury list

The New England Patriots have placed running back LeGarrette Blount on the non-football injury list to start training camp.

The New England Patriots have placed running back LeGarrette Blount on the non-football injury list to start training camp.

The Patriots also placed defensive tackle Alan Branch and offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann on the list. Quarterback Matt Flynn​ was already on the non-football injury list, which players can be removed from at any time.

Blount is suspended for the first game of the regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. The 28-year-old signed with New England last season after being released by the Steelers in November.

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Blount ran for 547 yards and five rushing touchdowns combined over 16 games in 2014. Branch recorded 13 tackles in eight games last season.

Patriots training camp begins on Thursday with practice scheduled for the morning. 

- Molly Geary