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Patriots Gridiron News: The Sony Michel show set to return against Titans

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 04: Najee Goode #52 of the Indianapolis Colts attempts to tackle Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 04: Najee Goode #52 of the Indianapolis Colts attempts to tackle Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots running back Sony Michel is expected to return against the Tennessee Titans in a big Week 10 AFC matchup.

Cordarrelle Patterson move over. It’s not set in stone, but the New England Patriots are optimistic that rookie running back Sony Michel will be available for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

This would be monumental for a team that has had to rely on a wide receiver in the backfield due to a lack of depth at the position.  While one would expect it to take a few games for Michel to get back to the force he was becoming prior to injuring his knee in Chicago, having him back available at least gives the team more options at running back.

That doesn’t mean it will be the last of Patterson in the backfield, but the Patriots wouldn’t have to depend on him in the way they have the last couple of weeks.  The self-proclaimed playmaker rushed for 61 yards against the Green Bay Packers Sunday night, but he doesn’t give the running game the punch Michel does when he is healthy and available.

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Additionally, against a tough Tennessee Titans defense, having a more traditional back out there will help keep the defensive line off balance and would at least give Tom Brady more options other than relying on James White out of the backfield.

In all, just the face Sony Michel is practicing and close to being ready is a major plus for the team.  Following the injury suffered against the Bears, it initially appeared the promising rookie would be lost for the season just when he was starting to breakout as a player.

Prior to the Chicago game, Michel had 95 carries for 422 yards and four touchdowns, well on pace to a 1000-yard season in his rookie campaign.

New England Patriots work out running back

The New England Patriots continued to work out players on Tuesday.  One of those players were running back Josh Ferguson.

After releasing running back Kenneth Farrow from the practice squad, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Ferguson appears to be a practice squad candidate.  Undrafted out of Illinois in 2016, the running back has 16 career carries for just 25 yards.  Interestingly, much of his production in the NFL has come catching the ball.  He has 23 receptions for 152 yards.

Certainly, sounds like the Patriots kind of running back.

The team also brought in offensive tackle Menelik Watson, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Watson is a former 2013 second round pick out of Florida State who could provide more depth on the 53-man roster given his experience in the NFL.  He is someone worth watching with the injury to Shaq Mason and ongoing injury concerns of Marcus Cannon.

Next. Top 5 New England Patriots running backs of all time. dark

As usual, the New England Patriots are always thinking ahead of the curve when it comes to roster positions.

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