Patriots' Rex Burkhead: Returns to practice

Burkhead (unspecified issue) returned to practice Monday, the Patriots' official site reports.

Burkhead, who missed this past Friday's preseason game, could thus be available for Thursday's preseason finale, though it's possible that he might be held out of the contest, along with other key cogs in the offense. Assuming his good health, Burkhead's versatility should earn him a solid role in the Patriots' ground attack, but with potential early-down back Mike Gillislee, as well as pass-catching aces James White and Dion Lewis also on in the mix, his path to a consistent number of touches on a weekly basis is somewhat hit-or-miss.