34 Rex Burkhead RB

Burkhead carried six times for 48 yards and hauled in his only target for six yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Dolphins.

Burkhead finishes the 2019 regular season with 65 carries for 302 yards and three TDs to go along with 27 catches (on 38 targets) for 279 yards in 13 games. Looking ahead to the postseason, the 29-year-old -- who is under contract with the Patriots through the 2020 season -- will continue to work in a complementary role behind lead back Sony Michel and pass-catching ace James White.

Burkhead ran for 20 yards and a touchdown on five carries while losing one fumble, and he corralled all four of his targets for 77 receiving yards during Saturday's 24-17 win against Buffalo.

Burkhead burst through the Buffalo defense for 18 yards on New England's opening offensive drive, only to fumble the football and see Micah Hyde scoop it up for a 31-yard gain in the opposite direction. With the 29-year-old Burkhead having established himself as a reliable piece to New England's attack over the past three seasons, he wasn't transitioned out of the game plan but rather bestowed with an additional seven offensive touches. His most critical contribution came on the Patriots' penultimate drive, as Burkhead's one-yard TD run with 5:06 to go provided New England with a lead that would prove insurmountable for the upset-minded Bills. Burkhead now has rushing scores in consecutive games, heading into a Week 17 matchup against a Miami defense that has surrendered 14 rushing TDs through its first 14 regular-season outings of 2019.

Burkhead logged 20 of a possible 65 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Bengals, en route to carrying six times for 53 yards, including a 33-yard TD in the fourth quarter of the contest.

Burkhead, who also caught both of his targets for six yards, was out-snapped by both Sony Michel (27) and James White (25) , with his TD run salvaging the day for him fantasy-wise. With sporadic volume the norm, Burkhead's lineup utility is restricted to deeper formats.

Burkhead logged 18 of a possible 67 snaps on offense in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Chiefs, en route to carrying a team-high seven times for 15 yards.

Meanwhile, James White carried six times for 33 yards and caught five passes for 27 yards, while Sony Michel recorded five carries for eight yards and one catch for one yard. Looking ahead to next Sunday's game against the Bengals, we'd expect the Patriots to mix things up on offense, so it wouldn't surprise to see Michel -- the team's leading rusher this season -- see increased opportunities against Cincinnati's vulnerable run defense. In such a scenario, Burkhead figures to continue to work in a complementary role that may not generate significant volume.

Burkhead was on the field for four of a possible 87 snaps on offense in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Texans.

In the process, Burkhead got three carries for 15 yards and failed to haul in his only passing target. As long as Sony Michel and pass-catching ace James White remain healthy, Burkhead's weekly volume figures to remain sporadic, which restricts his fantasy utility to deeper formats.

Burkhead was on the field for 15 of a possible 70 snaps on offense in Sunday's 13-9 win over the Cowboys, en route to carrying twice for three yards and catching two passes (on five targets) for 14 yards.

In rainy conditions at Foxborough on Sunday, Sony Michel did the heavy lifting, carrying 20 times for 85 yards, which didn't leave much room for Burkhead and James White to make an impact out of the team's Week 12 backfield. Burkhead's weekly volume will continue to be difficult to project as long as both Michel and White remain healthy, a context that limits his fantasy usefulness to deeper formats.

Burkhead was on the field for 21 of a possible 74 snaps on offense in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Eagles.

In the process, Burkhead carried five times for 14 yards and caught two of his three targets for 34 yards. Looking ahead, Burkhead's weekly volume in the Patriots' attack will be difficult to project so long as top back Sony Michel and change-of-pace/pass-catching ace James White remain healthy. As a result, Burkhead's fantasy utility is limited to deeper formats.

Burkhead logged 24 of a possible 67 snaps on offense in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Ravens, en route to carrying four times for 18 yards and catching one of his two targets for 16 yards.

James White led the team's running backs with 28 snaps, while the team's usual lead option Sony Michel logged just 15 snaps in a contest in which game flow worked against the Patriots pounding the ball via the ground. The team is on bye Week 10, with a Nov. 17 road game against the Eagles next up for New England. Burkhead, who has been managing a foot issue of late, should benefit from the time off, so we'll have to see if he's still on the team's injury report in advance of Week 11 action.

Burkhead (foot) is listed as active for Sunday night's game against the Ravens.

Meanwhile, James White (toe) is also active, and as long as he's able to handle his normal allotment of pass-catching/change-of-pace snaps in tandem with lead back Sony Michel, it'll be tough to count on Burkhead receiving enough touches to make a fantasy splash in Week 9.

Burkhead (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens after practicing in a limited fashion all week.

Burkhead returned to action in the Patriots' Week 8 win over the Browns, and with no reported setbacks in that contest, he's expected to be good to go Sunday. His Week 9 status gains added import after James White (toe) was added to the injury report Friday and is also listed as questionable. If White ends up being limited or sits out this weekend, Burkhead would likely absorb a decent share of the team's change-of-pace duties behind lead back Sony Michel.

Burkhead (foot) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Burkhead returned to action in the Week 8 win over the Browns, carrying three times for four yards and catching his lone target for a nine-yard gain. No news surfaced suggesting Burkhead suffered a setback in that contest, so his limitations Wednesday limitations were likely a case of routine management.

Burkhead logged 13 of a possible 69 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Browns.

In his first game since Sept. 29, Burkhead carried three times for four yards and caught his only target for nine yards. As long as top back Sony Michel and change-of-pace/pass-catching ace James White remain healthy, the versatile Burkhead's weekly volume in the New England offense will be difficult to project.

Burkhead (foot) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Burkhead's return to action pushes rookie Damien Harris to the inactive list. With Sony Michel serving as the Patriots' lead back and James White entrenched as a change-of-pace/pass-catching option, Burkhead profiles as a versatile complement in the team's offense, a role that makes his weekly volume difficult to peg so long as Michel and White remain healthy.

Burkhead (foot), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Patriots will likely confirm Burkhead's availability around 2:55 p.m. EDT, when the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Though Burkhead remained a limited participant in practice all week, the Patriots apparently are encouraged enough by his progress to bring him back after a three-game absence. Rookie Damien Harris likely will be a healthy scratch Sunday as the Patriots clear a spot in the backfield for Burkhead.

Burkhead (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns after practicing in a limited fashion all week.

Though Burkhead has missed three consecutive contests, he's been practicing in a limited fashion for some time now, so he's a candidate to suit up Sunday. If he does find himself in the Patriots' Week 8 backfield mix, Burkhead would profile as a hit-or-miss fantasy option, however, given that his weekly volume tends to vary based on game flow and matchup-specific play calling.

Burkhead (foot) was once again limited at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Burkhead -- who has missed three straight games -- has been practicing in a limited fashion for some time now, so it's possible that he could be activated Sunday against the Browns. An equally plausible scenario, however, is that the team plays it safe with the running back, with the offense having performed just fine in his absence.

Burkhead (foot) was spotted at Wednesday's walk-through practice, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Burkhead hasn't taken the field since Week 4. While Burkhead's presence at Wednesday's practice indicates that he has a chance of suiting up Week 8 versus the Browns, his availability will likely come down to what he's able to do Thursday and Friday. With Sony Michel, James White and Brandon Bolden all healthy, the Patriots appear willing to take a cautious approach with Burkhead.

Burkhead (foot) has been downgraded to out for Monday night's game against the Jets.

With Burkhead -- who last suited up Sept. 29 versus the Bills --- still sidelined by a foot issue, Sony Michel, James White and Brandon Bolden will handle the Patriots' Week 7 backfield duties.

Burkhead (foot) is officially listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Jets.

Burkhead has missed two consecutive contests due to a lingering foot injury, but he appears to have a chance at retaking the field Week 7 against the Jets. In the event that Burkhead manages to suit up, he'll mix into New England's rushing attack alongside Sony Michel and James White, making him a hit-or-miss fantasy option.

Burkhead (foot) remained limited at practice Friday.

Given that he's been able to practice in a limited fashion of late, Burkhead -- who has missed two straight games -- could possibly return to action in Week 7 against the Jets, but that's not a lock at this stage, which makes him a risky roll in fantasy lineups, given the Patriots' Monday night kickoff.