The New England Patriots announced that the team signed unrestricted free agent running back Lamont Jordan today. Terms of the deal were not available.

Jordan was recently released by the Raiders after a three-year stint in Oakland. Originally selected by the New York Jets in the second round (49th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft, Jordan spent four years in New York (2001-04) before signing a huge free agent deal with Oakland.

The Raiders opted to part ways with Jordan after they couldn’t find a trade partner. The team instructed Jordan not to report to camp this week. Instead of trading him, the team waived him on Friday July 25.

The 5-foot-10, 230-pound veteran running back joins the crowded backfield in Foxborough consisting of Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis. How and where Jordan fits will get sorted out in training camp. For now, the Patriots are just happy to have another talented back on the roster that will push the players already here.

To make room for Jordan, the Patriots released wide receiver Robert Ortiz. The San Diego State pass catcher was signed by the Patriots on May 15, 2008 as a free agent.