Mates have Lewis’ back
Hope he’s set to go post-bye vs. Seattle
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
FOXBORO — The Patriots, who already have an embarrassment of offensive riches, might be tapping into their savings account in the near future.
They’re holding out hope running back Dion Lewis will be ready for next week’s game against the Seahawks. Lewis has participated in all three practices since debuting during Thursday’s workout, and the hope for all involved is that he’ll be available to play in his first game in Week 10 at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots have not determined Lewis will be ready to take on Seattle, but that possibility remains in play. They have until Nov. 17 to activate him.
Suffice to say Lewis’ teammates can’t wait to get him back.
“It’s really exciting,” running back LeGarrette Blount said. “James ( White) is playing great. I’m playing pretty good. Brandon ( Bolden) is playing good for us when we need him to. Whenever we add Dion to the mix, that’s just another weapon that is going to be tough for a lot of defenders to defend. I don’t know how that’s going to be. Obviously, I’m not a coach. But it’s always fun watching him play.”
Blount has 161 carries for 609 yards and is on pace to shatter his career highs in both categories, and he already has a career-best nine touchdowns. White has set personal bests with 26 carries for 107 yards, and he has 29 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns, all of which are on pace for career highs.
Lewis had 49 carries for 234 yards, 36 catches for 388 yards and four offensive touchdowns in seven games last season before tearing his ACL on Nov. 8. He also needed surgery this summer to repair a fractured patella, and his most important hurdle in his recovery involves rebuilding the muscles around his knees to prevent further injury.
When Lewis returns to the game field for the first time in more than a year, he’ll rejoin a productive backfield and a Tom Brady- led passing attack that has yielded significant output from tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett and wide receivers Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola.
How many more weapons does the offense really need?
“We’ll take all of them that you’ll give us,” a beaming Blount said.
Role play
Rookie Elandon Roberts will be most effected by the trade of fellow linebacker Jamie Collins, as he’ll likely assume the starting job alongside Dont’a Hightower, at least on running downs.
“That’s our coaches’ call, but whatever they need me to do for the team, I’m going to put my best foot forward,” Roberts said. “It’s going to start in practice, and (I’ll) go out there and get the job done.”
Roberts was a healthy scratch in the season opener against the Cardinals and again in Week 4 against the Bills, but his role has evolved during the past three games. In 100 defensive snaps this season, Roberts has 20 tackles, three run stuffs and drawn three holding penalties. The sixth-round pick out of Houston also has allowed six completions on six targets for 35 yards.
Rather than focusing on the positives, though, Roberts dwells on the facets he needs to improve.
“I really just take the bad things, what I can do to get my game better,” Roberts said. “I’ve got a long way to go. Right now, I’m just focused on getting ready for Seattle and that’s it.”
Distraction day
The Patriots had a couple of distractions in the locker room to take their mind off the Collins trade. Brady had his annual shipment of Uggs delivered to every teammate. They all received a pair of boots and slippers.
And defensive end Chris Long made Halloween masks of some of his teammates’ faces, including Edelman and defensive end Rob Ninkovich. As the media arrived in the locker room, Long dressed up as Edelman with the mask, his yellow T-shirt and red winter hat, and fielded questions from reporters.
Roster shuffling
The Patriots didn’t make any deals yesterday before the trading deadline hit, but that didn’t stop them from making other moves.
First, the Chiefs signed running back Bishop Sankey off the Patriots practice squad. Sankey had been with the team since Week 1. He will earn a guaranteed salary for three weeks.
The Pats then added tight end Austin Traylor and offensive lineman Chase Farris to the practice squad.