The Patriots are hosting ex-Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott on a free-agent visit Saturday, a source confirmed to the Herald.

Elliott has been a free agent since Dallas released him in mid-March. Last season, Elliott rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns, while averaging 3.8 yards per carry and starting 14 of 15 games. In New England, he could serve as the primary backup to star back Rhamondre Stevenson, especially in light of Ty Montgomery’s recent leg injury in training camp.

Elliott is the third veteran back to visit the Patriots the past couple weeks, following Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson. At this stage of his career, the 28-year-old is not considered a starting-caliber back, but he remains a powerful runner and strong pass protector in blitz pickup. Elliott has spent all seven years of his career with the Cowboys, who made him the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

His last 1,000-yard season came in 2021, when he averaged just 4.2 yards per carry and caught 47 passes for 287 yards. Elliott last averaged better than 4.5 yards per touch in 2019, his most recent Pro Bowl campaign. Over his career, he’s made three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team.

If Elliott signs with the Patriots, he would join Stevenson, Ty Montgomery, 2022 draft picks Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris and J.J. Taylor in the running backs room. In 2019, Pats coach Bill Belichick praised Elliott ahead of a regular-season game in Foxboro calling him a “tough back” and “downhill guy.”

“He’s had a lot of big runs since he’s come in this league, way more than anybody else,” Belichick added. “He’s a hard guy to tackle. He’s got good vision, good power.

The Score first reported Elliott’s visit to New England.