Sony Michel expected back for Pats-Cardinals game.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Expect to see running back Sony Michel on Sunday afternoon for the Patriots against the Arizona Cardinals.
“He’s had a couple of good weeks,” coach Bill Belichick said Friday morning. “I think he’ll be ready to go.”
Michel, who was activated off injured reserve last week after recovering from a quad injury, hasn’t played since Week 3. He returned to practice on Nov. 5 and was eligible to play last Sunday against Houston, but the team made him inactive.
In Michel’s seven-game absence, second-year back Damien Harris averaged 73.4 yards per game. The Patriots were about to have a crowded backfield, however, Rex Burkhead was lost for the remainder of the season after injuring his knee against Houston.
“You can’t replace a guy like [Burkhead], but Sony brings something that a lot of running backs don’t have,” quarterback Cam Newton said Wednesday. “That may be experience, that may be playability, that may be just his understanding this offense, and we’re gonna need all of that here moving forward.”
In his three games this season, Michel has one standout performance: A 117-yard day against the Las Vegas Raiders. His other two showings were much more underwhelming, with an average of 28 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry.
“He’s getting back to where he was. No doubt about it. It’s been a good layoff for him,” Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears said Friday morning. “He’s showing some freshness in his body. I’m looking forward to getting him back on the field.”
With Burkhead out, Fears indicated he’d like to “spread the wealth.”
“That’s going to be a big void to fill,” he said. “That’s an opportunity for somebody else. Somebody’s got to step up and take his place. I fully expect our guys to do that.”
In addition to Harris and Michel, the Patriots have James White and J.J. Taylor available at running back. Taylor has not played since Week 3, but Fears expressed confidence in the undrafted rookie should he be needed.
“I think he’ll continue to grow and develop,” Fears said. “There’s some things — I’m not going to say — that he’s got to improve on for us. But I really like the kid’s natural running ability, his vision, his style of running.
“He’s a guy who can run with power for a little guy. He’s got great vision, he can see, he can make those sudden cuts, he’s got that open-field running ability. There’s a lot of things about this kid you’re going to like.”
Injury report: Starting offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn will miss Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Wynn did not practice all week after exiting last week’s loss to the Texans late in the fourth quarter. Jermaine Eluemunor filled in for New England’s final four plays of the game, and remains a likely candidate to replace Wynn in the starting lineup against Arizona.
Defensive tackle Carl Davis (concussion) was also a non-participant Friday and is questionable to play Sunday. All told, 13 Patriots are questionable, including defensive lineman Tashawn Bower (illness), defensive back Kyle Dugger (toe), specialist Matthew Slater (knee), and Taylor (quad), who each returned to practice in a limited capacity after missing Thursday’s session.
Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley ( groin), defensive lineman Adam Butler (shoulder), defensive tackle Byron Cowart (back), kicker Nick Folk (back), cornerback Stephon Gilmore (hand), wide receiver N’Keal Harry (shoulder), tight end Ryan Izzo (hamstring, hand), and guard Shaq Mason (calf ) are also questionable.
Defensive tackle Lawrence Guy (shoulder, elbow, knee) and guard Joe Thuney (ankle) were both removed from the injury report.
Patriots notes: The playlist for Friday’s practice featured a number of college fight songs, including “War Eagle” (Auburn), “Hail to Georgia” (Georgia), “The Victors” (Michigan), “Victory for MSU” (Michigan State), and “The Mighty Bruins” (UCLA). ... The Patriots hosted safety JT Hassell and guard Ross Reynolds for a workout. ... The NFL has suspended practice squad linebacker Michael Pinckney for six games for undisclosed reasons. ... Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was not listed on Arizona’s final injury report, which means he should be ready to start on Sunday. Murray had been limited in practice this week after banging up his throwing shoulder last Thursday against Seattle.