The Patriots are hosting free-agent running back Leonoard Fournette for a workout Wednesday, a source told the Herald’s Doug Kyed.

Fournette started nine of 16 games last season for the Buccaneers, rushing for 668 yards and three touchdowns. The six-year veteran previously visited New England as a free agent in March 2021. He left Foxboro without a deal and eventually re-signed with Tampa Bay.

Over the past two seasons, Fournette rushed for close to 1,500 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also developed into a more reliable receiving threat working with former Patriots and Bucs quarterback Tom Brady. During their three regular seasons together, Fournette caught 178 passes for 1,210 yards and five touchdowns.

Fornette, 28, is regarded foremost as a power back. He entered the league as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft with the Jaguars, who released him in the summer of 2020. In New England, Fournette would project as one of the top backups to star back Rhamondre Stevenson.

The Patriots have been “kicking the tires” on free-agent running backs, a source told the Herald, since cutting free-agent addition James Robinson this offseason. Robinson was expected to serve as Stevenson’s top backup upon signing in March, but received his release after a few months due to injury concerns.

Without Robinson, the Patriots’ lead reserves include 2022 draft picks Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery and J.J. Taylor. Last season, Stevenson rushed for more than 1,000 yards and finished with close to 300 offensive touches. However, the 2021 fourth-rounder wore down as the season went on and finished the year having played two-thirds of the team’s offensive snaps, an atypically high number for Pats running backs in the Bill Belichick era.

The Patriots currently have two roster spots available with training camp set to open next week. The NFL Network first reported Fournette’s visit to New England.