default-cbs-image

The New England Patriots got on a plane Friday to fly to San Francisco, where they will play the 49ers on Sunday. As is typical for NFL teams these days, the Patriots tweeted out pictures from their official team account of several players getting ready to board the plane.

Take a closer look at that first picture. There are three running backs in it: Brandon Bolden, James White, and (in the back with the gold shoes) none other than Dion Lewis.

Lewis, of course, has yet to play this season. He tore his ACL last year and had another surgery on his knee prior to the start of this season, after which the Patriots placed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list. He returned to practice a few weeks ago and was activated from the PUP list last Saturday, but he didn't play in his team's loss to the Seahawks.

Lewis was not listed on the team's injury report at all throughout this week. Considering the Patriots left players like Rob Gronkowski and Chris Hogan, who are not playing this week, in New England rather than having them fly with the team, it sure seems like Lewis is getting ready to make his season debut.

His return would give the Patriots yet another weapon for their explosive offense. He was one of the most elusive players in the league last season, especially in the passing game.