Steven Jackson says he has become Patriots running back

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Veteran running back Steven Jackson announced via his Twitter account Monday that he is joining the New England Patriots. The Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Veteran running back Steven Jackson announced via his Twitter account Monday that he is joining the New England Patriots.

The Patriots have been ravaged by injuries, including to running backs Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount.

On Monday, Jackson, who hasn't played this season after spending the last two years with the Falcons, posted a picture of himself from the back on Twitter, accompanied by the words, ''I'm back'' - his first tweet since September.

Later, his Twitter page called him a ''New England Patriots running back.''

No announcement was made by the team, which isn't required to do so until the contract is official.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was with St. Louis when Jackson was the top runner in 2011.

Jackson, 32, ran for 1,250 yards and 12 touchdowns, and had 53 catches for the Falcons the past two seasons. He had eight straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Rams.

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