The New England Patriots have dodged the proverbial bullet as their running back Rex Burkhead who sustained a knee injury Sunday, will most likely return this season.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport tweeted out today that the Patriots should see the running back return for the playoffs.
#Patriots RB Rex Burkhead was diagnosed with just a knee sprain after his MRI, source said. The team is optimistic their versatile weapon will be back for the playoffs. Good news, especially considering what it originally looked like.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2017
However as a result of the injury, the Patriots will most likely hand the short yardage and goal line duties back over to Mike Gillislee. The former Buffalo Bill has been a big disappointment in his first campaign with the Patriots finding himself to be a healthy scratch for six straight games.
Gillislee has however taken it as a professional and told the Boston Herald a short time ago that whatever his role would be the remainder of the season, he was putting the team before him always.
“I’m a team player, and I’m always going to put my team first,” Gillislee said. “We’re out to get something, and that’s to go to the championship, the Super Bowl. That’s the goal, and I’m going to do whatever I can to help my football team get there. Whatever that is, whether it’s practicing, being on scout team, of course I want to be out there, but I’m going to do whatever it is to be a part of the team and not distract them.”
Now with the injury to Burkhead, Gillislee now will get his long-awaited chance to get back on the field and earn back the playing time he lost.
The Patriots face off against Gillislee’s former team the Bills on Christmas Eve at 1:00 p.m.
