The Facts: The Patriots on Monday claimed rookie running back Tyler Gaffney off waivers after the Carolina Panthers tried to sneak their sixth-round pick through waivers and onto injured reserve.
Diehards Line:
Gaffney suffered a knee injury over the weekend that will require surgery. He'll miss the season, but when he returns, he'll wear New England's red, white and blue. It's reminiscent of Bill Belichick claiming injured Giants TE Jake Ballard off waivers in 2012 after New York also attempted to whisk the veteran by for a trip to IR. The Patriots' top three running backs -- Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Brandon Bolden -- all enter the final year of their contracts. Rookie James White, the team's fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin, is signed through 2017. Gaffney's contract also extends through the 2017 season. Fantasy football owners should keep Gaffney on their 2015 watch lists.