Veteran RB Kevin Faulk Hopes To Stay With Patriots

Free agent running back Kevin Faulk said Thursday that he hopes to return to the New England Patriots and that he has decided not to retire, according to ESPN.com.

"I am training to come back to play," Faulk said, according to the report. "But it's not up to me. It's up to the team and everything, but I am planning on coming back to play, so we'll see what happens."

Faulk, 35, has spent the entirety of his 14-year career with the team.

"I'm hoping, I'm just praying," Faulk said. "A phone call will come, but it's not up to me to contact them."

After a knee injury ended his 2010 season in Week 2, Faulk returned in 2011 to play in just seven games. He notched just 57 yards on 17 carries. Still, he contends that he wants to stay with the Patriots, where he has scored 33 career touchdowns.