The Patriots are signing Gaffney to a contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Gaffney, who was a sixth-round pick by Carolina in 2014, spent time on the 49ers' practice squad last season, but he has yet to play a regular-season NFL down despite being a member of the Patriots organization from 2014 to 2016. Gaffney, who has also spent time in the MLB Pittsburgh's farm system, now finds himself in a crowded running back room. He'll be a longshot to make New England's regular-season roster.