Patriots Rumors: Running back Sony Michel out in Week 1
By Nick Ziegler
Recent Patriots rumors are that rookie running back, Sony Michel, will not be playing in Week 1.
As we get closer to the first game of the season, recent Patriots rumors are about the status of Sony Michel for Week 1. To start the season, the Patriots will be hosting the Houston Texans, but they will be a bit short-handed.
Injuries have been a bit of an issue this offseason for the Patriots, and they will be heading into Week 1 without one of their top weapons. Rookie running back, Sony Michel, missed the entire preseason and now it looks like he won’t be playing against the Texans in Week 1.
According to Mike Giardi, Michel will be missing Week 1.
Since Michel didn’t play at all in the preseason, he was likely going to be limited a bit in Week 1. However, as the first round pick of the Patriots, it certainly would have been beneficial to have him on the field.
Luckily for the Patriots, they are fairly deep at the running back position with James White, Rex Burkhead, and Jeremy Hill. As runners, Hill and Burkhead will now be carrying the load in all likelihood for the Patriots, as White is more a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Like Michel, Burkhead didn’t play in the preseason for the Patriots, but he is expected to be on the field in Week 1 against the Texans. The strong preseason for Hill resulted in him making team and he might be in store for a big workload in Week 1.
For Michel, hopefully he is able to get back to practice in a full capacity this coming week. Since it is the first game of the season, it is wise to be careful with their talented rookie back. Even though the Patriots will be without their first round pick, they should be alright against the Texans in Week 1.