Stevan Ridley to Falcons: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The Atlanta Falcons have signed running backs Stevan Ridley and Terron Ward, the team announced on Tuesday via its official Twitter account.

Ridley is best known for his time with the New England Patriots, playing in 52 games from 2011-14. His best year came in 2012, when he finished with 1,263 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Falcons were in need of depth at running back after Tevin Coleman strained his hamstring in Week 7, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.

Since leaving the Patriots in 2014, Ridley has bounced around the league with little success. He played in nine games for the New York Jets last season but managed only 90 rushing yards on 36 carries. After failing to make the Detroit Lions roster out of the preseason, he got a chance with the Indianapolis Colts but was released after about a week.

In all the opportunities, the 27-year-old running back has failed to show the same type of ability he had before a 2014 knee injury.

However, the signing shows the Falcons' lack of confidence in Coleman's health.

Until the second-year player gets healthy, Devonta Freeman will likely become the workhorse like he was last season, with Ridley and Ward spelling him when needed. Ward was on the team's practice squad and played in 13 games last season, totaling 95 rushing yards and a touchdown to go with 73 receiving yards.

Atlanta released linebacker A.J. Hawk and offensive lineman Mike Person to make room for the running backs.