Gillislee ready to bust back in
FOXBORO — When Mike Gillislee scored three touchdowns in the opening night loss against the Chiefs, he seemed like a great bet to continue the Patriots’ trend of plucking under-the-radar players off other rosters and plugging them into their system to great effect.
It hasn’t quite turned out that way for the fifth-year pro.
Gillislee saw his role decline consistently in the following weeks and only found the end zone once more after his outburst against Kansas City. He’s been inactive for six straight games.
That seems likely to change tomorrow against Buffalo. Fellow running back Rex Burkhead has been ruled out with a knee injury, and Gillislee made it sound like the former Bill will suit up against his old team.
“I look forward to it because I’m able to go out there and put on the helmet on Sunday with my brothers. That’s what I look forward to,” Gillislee said. “I prepare hard every week. I work hard. This week I’m able to dress and we’ll see from there.”
If Gillislee does indeed return to the 46-man game day roster, it would make sense for him to replace Burkhead as the Patriots primary back in goal line situations. It’s a role Burkhead fell into over the past few weeks and one Gillislee has already shown he can succeed at, as all four of his touchdowns have come from inside the 2-yard line.
Going into a matchup against the team that gave him his first break in the NFL, Gillislee downplayed the emotional aspect of the game.
“I’m not really worried or focused on that part. I’m just focused on, when my number’s called, just executing and just having a good game,” he said.
Gillislee did say he stays in touch with Bills running back LeSean McCoy, but was quick to clarify their conversations aren’t about football anymore.
“(LeSean’s) always been a role model and a leader to me, ever since I got the opportunity to get pulled off the practice squad three years ago,” Gillislee said.
He credited McCoy with teaching him to be smart, take care of his body and realize football won’t last forever.
With the Patriots looking to lock up the AFC’s top seed and Buffalo making a push for its first playoff berth since 1999, Gillislee didn’t think there would be any chippiness since Rob Gronkowski was suspended for a late hit to the head of Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White three games ago.
“I think that’s in the past. I don’t think that’s nobody’s focus right now,” Gillislee said. “It’s football. They’re trying to get somewhere and we’re trying to get somewhere. So I think that’s what the focus is, just playing football.”