Bill Belichick: Patriots RB Dion Lewis Going Through ‘Build-Up Process’

New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis is working his way back to a return to the field.

Dion Lewis is back on the 53-man roster, but was inactive in Sunday night’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Addressing the media on Wednesday, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Lewis was inactive because there’s a “build-up process” that players who miss significant time must go through.

"“Any time a player is coming back from missing a significant amount of time, there’s a certain build-up process,” Belichick said via WEEI. “Sometimes that accelerates, sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes it just stays on a straight line course. … There’s a big difference between training and playing football. You can run around a track or up and down a hill, do 10,000 pushups and all that. I mean, that’s great. But that’s not being out there with 21 other guys playing football.”"

More from New England Patriots

Lewis, who tore his ACL a year ago, has only had two weeks of practice before last Sunday’s game. Although he isn’t expected to be the player he was before the injury, fans and teammates are still excited to have him back on the field. Belichick, however, doesn’t just want to throw him back out there. The team wants to make sure he is ready for the fast action and real impact of football.

"“Football is football,” Belichick continued. “Training is an important part of a component of being ready to play football, but playing football is playing football, especially at this time of the year where you’re in the middle of the season and teams have quite of bit of scheme in — both is and our opponents. We’re going to have some basic stuff at the beginning of the year and preseason. Preseason is very basic. We’re at a whole different point, so how does that get acclimated with separating time. It’s a feel situation. To answer your question, just keep going.”"

Lewis could possibly see playing time this week when the Patriots play the San Francisco 49ers. If not, he should certainly see time the week following. With both LeGarrette Blount and James White playing well, there is no rush to get him back on the field other than to get him some valuable playing time before the post season.

Next: Boston Bruins: Kevan Miller Joins Team In Denver

What to keep up to date on Dion Lewis and the New England Patriots? Keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions.

Home/New England Patriots