Develin (neck) announced his decision to retire from the NFL on Monday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Develin's decision was likely informed by the serious neck injury that limited him to just two games in 2019, as he opts to hang up the cleats ahead of his age-32 season. The fullback began his NFL career on Cincinnati's practice squad for two years before earning the starting gig in New England, where he contributed to three Super Bowl wins from 2012 through 2019. In addition to playing a key role as a blocker across 83 games with the team, Develin additionally accumulated five touchdowns and 31 receptions as a versatile, though seldom utilized, weapon out of the backfield.

Develin (neck) will not return from injured reserve for the Patriots this season, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Patriots were eligible to designate two players to return off IR this season, and have used both designations on Isaiah Wynn (toe) and N'Keal Harry (ankle). As such, the veteran fullback will spend the rest of the 2019 season on IR, given that he's not a candidate to be released.

The Patriots placed Develin (neck) on injured reserve Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Develin sat out Sunday's win over the Jets due to an undisclosed neck injury suffered Week 2 versus Miami. It's possible that Develin could return midseason if he gets healthy, but that would restrict New England to bringing back only one of Isaiah Wynn (toe) or N'Keal Harry (ankle). The Patriots are a candidate to add another fullback to the roster, as the position plays an integral role in the team's running game.

Develin (neck) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Nick Underhill of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Develin is managing a neck injury of undisclosed severity. The Patriots don't have another fullback on the roster and will operate without one during Sunday's tilt against the Jets. Develin operates primarily as a blocker in New England's offense, though he has logged two carries for three yards across two contests.

Develin (neck) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, Andrew Callahan of MassLive reports.

EDGE Analysis

Develin was on the field often through the first two weeks, rushing two times for three yards over 59 snaps. The nature of his injury doesn't sound promising, but he'll try to get on the practice field in some capacity by Friday. The Patriots don't have another fullback on the roster, so they may sign another or simply go without Sunday versus the Jets.

Develin ran twice for three total yards during Sunday's 43-0 win over Miami.

EDGE Analysis

It was just the second multi-carry game over the past four seasons for Develin who, while integral to New England's running game, seldom gets opportunities himself. The Brown product did manage to find the end zone four times last season despite just six carries and eight rushing yards, but the prospect of a vultured touchdown or two is probably not worth the risk on a Patriots team stocked with other weapons and mercurial in approach week to week.

Develin played 30 of the Patriots' 72 offensive snaps Sunday and didn't log any touches during the team's 13-3 win over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

EDGE Analysis

Though he didn't get the ball in the Patriots' lone goal-line situation, Develin delivered a crushing block to pave the way for Sony Michel to score the game's only touchdown. He concluded the postseason with only three touches but should continue to earn plenty of field time in 2019 thanks to his reliability as a lead blocker.

Develin finished the 2018 season with six carries for eight yards and four rushing TDs and 12 catches on 17 targets for 61 yards in 16 games.

EDGE Analysis

In his role as the Patriots' starting fullback, Develin makes most of his impact as a blocker, but his occasional TDs this season put the 30-year-old on the fantasy radar in ultra-deep formats. Develin remains under contract with New England through the 2020 campaign, setting the stage for him to make random trips to the end zone once again next season.

Develin did not log a carry or catch in Sunday's 24-12 win over the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

Develin was on the field for 36 snaps Sunday, but the fullback wasn't part of the Patriots' game plan on offense, en route to going without a carry for the second straight week. He's still a threat to score the occasional TD, but that's not predictable enough for him to merit fantasy lineup consideration.

Develin caught both of his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

With that, Develin's improbable TD run comes to a halt. It's still possible that the Patriots' fullback will get some goal-line carries in the coming weeks, but when that doesn't happen, he doesn't see enough volume in other situations to make up for it.