Patriots-Titans: Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee Not Expected To Play
Patriots running backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee aren’t expected to play on Saturday night against the Tennessee Titans. The Pats will be down to Dion Lewis and James White…
Rex Burkhead celebrates with Tom Brady after rushing for a one-yard touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)Patriots running backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee aren't expected to play on Saturday night against the Tennessee Titans. The Pats will be down to Dion Lewis and James White on the regular running back depth chart.
The Patriots also have special teamer Brandon Bolden as a reserve back. But in any event, expect to see plenty of Lewis on the ground and White through the air in Saturday's AFC Divisional Playoff at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news about Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee via Twitter on Saturday. Both Burkhead and Gillislee landed as "Questionable" on the final injury report. Burkhead tried to give it a go and the Pats "had him in the game plan" but he wasn't ready, according to the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe.
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)Rex Burkhead walks off the field with trainers. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Who IS Playing?
The Patriots listed six others as "Questionable" for Saturday night against the Titans. They are Marquis Flowers (illness), Alan Branch (knee), Chris Hogan (shoulder), Eric Lee (ankle/finger), Kyle Van Noy (calf), and White (ankle). Hogan and Van Noy expect to play, while Branch and White deemed themselves healthy enough to take the field.
In the running game, the Patriots could face some difficulty against the Titans' defensive front. Tennessee finished the regular season fourth in the NFL with just 3.6 yards per rush allowed. However, the Titans allowed the third-most catches (99) in the league to opposing running backs. So White could see plenty of targets coming his way on Saturday.
If Tom Brady continues to have success against Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, expect White and Lewis to be major beneficiaries of that.
-- By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
