The Patriots depth has taken a hit in the early part of the season and the running back position has been among the groups that has been hit the hardest. Jeremy Hill tore his ACL in the opener and is out for the year, and Rex Burkhead was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week, although he is eligible to return in Week 12 if he's healthy enough to do so.
Even rookie Sony Michel has dealt with a knee injury that cost him the first week, and he's basically working with just James White in the Patriots backfield at this point.
That led to some speculation that New England might be in the market for another back. In fact, Peter King appeared on Sportsradio WEEI on Thursday and suggested it would make a lot of sense for the Patriots to trade for Le'Veon Bell.
The Boston Herald says Dont'a Hightower is ramping up the communication with teammates. The notebook has newcomer John Simon looking to add something to the front seven. NBC Sports Boston also has Hightower talking about the meetings taking place after meetings among defensive players. MassLive.com has both Hightower and Devin McCourty explaining how the defense can improve and play faster.
Attitude and physicality are needed in order for the Patriots to snap their two-game losing streak according to the Boston Sports Journal. ESPN.com believes Julian Edelman is exactly what the passing game needs to get back in order. After missing last week's game in Detroit, cornerback Eric Rowe was absent from practice on Thursday.
WEEI.com has Phillip Dorsett relating to Josh Gordon as the wideout tries to pick things up quickly in Foxborough.
The NFL and the NFLPA completed a joint investigation into the Patriots handling of Patrick Chung's Week 2 concussion.
Matt Light is honored to be entering the Patriots Hall of Fame.
In Miami, Danny Amendola is drawing comparisons to Wes Welker. Both receivers played for the Patriots and Dolphins of course. The Miami Herald writes that Dolphins assistant Matt Burke’s return to Boston will be difficult even before kickoff. Burke also discussed the Dolphins third-down defense, which the coach says "stinks" at this point of the season. There's reason to believe the outcome of the game will be astounding.
