Burkhead carried the ball 18 times for 64 yards and added a 5-yard catch during Sunday's 27-20 win over Houston.

EDGE Analysis

A minor knee injury and lack of experience at receiver in New England made Burkhead's season opener a bit of a mystery. Would he be more receiver than runner? How would he be eased into action? In the end, the veteran back saw 19 touches, primarily as a traditional back. The yards per touch were low for somebody of Burkhead's ability, but -- after sitting out all of preseason -- some rust is to be expected. He should gain some of his wiggle back in the weeks to come, though a matchup with Jacksonville in Week 2 won't be easy.

With Sony Michel (knee) inactive Sunday, Burkhead, James White and Jeremy Hill will handle the Patriots' backfield duties in Week 1, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Patriots' carry distribution tends to be matchup or game-flow dependent, but look for the versatile Burkhead to handle a decent portion of the team's carries Sunday. Meanwhile, White figures to garner his share of passing targets in Week 1 and Hill could see some opportunities in short-yardage situations. Of the three, Burkhead seems likely to handle the most touches, so long as he avoids any setbacks with the knee issue that he dealt with during the preseason.

Though ESPN's Mike Reiss has suggested that Burkhead might be eased into action in Week 1, given that he's bouncing back from knee issues, NESN's Doug Kyed expects Burkhead "to get a heavy workload as the Patriots' "top ball-carrier in Week 1."

EDGE Analysis

Both estimates are speculative and that's within the context of a an offense where the carry-distribution tends to be matchup or game-flow dependent. When Reiss took the question of what fantasy coaches should do with Burkhead in Week 1 directly to the running back, he laughed and said "I've got no comment on that." The fact that Burkhead is talking to the media and not on the injury report confirms that he'll play Sunday, in any case. There's a decent chance that Sony Michel (knee) is held out this weekend, which leaves Burkhead, James White and Jeremy Hill as the team's healthy backfield options out of the gate. White figures to garner his share of passing targets in Week 1 and Hill could see opportunities in short-yardage situations. That leaves the versatile Burkhead as a candidate to handle a decent portion of the team's carries Sunday, a scenario that may not generate a workhorse level of volume, but could lead to enough production for him to merit fantasy lineup consideration.

Though Burkhead is not listed on the Patriots' Week 1 injury report, ESPN's Mike Reiss suggests that the running back could "be eased into the mix because there is an acclimation process that still needs to take place."

EDGE Analysis

Specifically, Burkhead, who did not play in the preseason, is bouncing back from what was previously described as a slight tear in his knee. Once Burkhead is fully up to speed, he'll be counted on to help the New England offense cope with the looming four-game absence of target-gobbling receiver Julian Edelman (suspension). He'll have help on that front, however, given the team's deep backfield. With that in mind, James White looks like a decent PPR play in Week 1, while "big back" Jeremy Hill could get some short-yardage work Sunday against the Texans. Meanwhile, promising rookie Sony Michel (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, which clouds his status/role for the team's season opener. The bottom line is that Burkhead figures to make some play Sunday, but it's possible White and Hill could see some extra snaps this week, as Burkhead re-joins the mix.

Burkhead (knee) does not appear on the Patriots' Week 1 injury report.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead had been dealing with what was described as a slight tear in his knee, but he's off the injury report and thus in line to play Sunday against the Texans. Meanwhile, Sony Michel (knee) was a limited practice participant, which clouds his potential Week 1 role. The Patriots' backfield is never easy to decode, but we'd expect the versatile Burkhead to see his share of touches Sunday, as the team's offense copes with the looming four-game absence of target-gobbling receiver Julian Edelman. Once Michel is up to speed, he'll eventually threaten Burkhead's workload, but of the team's healthy running backs, change-of-pace maven James White looks like a decent PPR play out of the gate and Burkhead has a higher floor than "big back" Jeremy Hill, at least until the team's goal-line tendencies are revealed.

Burkhead (knee) and Sony Michel (knee) are participating in position drills at Sunday's practice, Mark Daniels of The Providence Journals reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead reportedly suffered a slight knee tear in the first or second week of August, shortly after Michel had a procedure to drain fluid from his own injured knee. Recent reports suggest the Patriots expect Burkhead to play Week 1 against the Texans, while Michel's status is somewhat murkier. With Mike Gillislee, Brandon Bolden and Ralph Webb all failing to survive cutdown day, James White and Jeremy Hill are the only healthy running backs on the roster as of Sunday afternoon.

Jeff Howe of the Athletic relays that there has "been a constant sense of optimism" with regard to Burkhead's (knee) Week 1 availability.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead is bouncing back from what has been described as a slight tear in his knee, but he's been practicing and thus trending in the right direction. Meanwhile, Howe suggests that there seems to be less certainly with regard to Sony Michel's (knee) status for the Patriots' season opener. The duo's official practice participation level next week will provide added context to their Week 1 status, but it's not hard to imagine both players being listed as "questionable" for New England's Sept. 9 opener against the Texans. Assuming he's available out of the gate, the versatile Burkhead has a chance to be a focal point in the team's offense early on, notably while the team copes with wideout Julian Edelman's looming four-game absence. Once Michel is up to speed, he'll of course be a threat to cut into Burkhead's workload, but in the short-term, Burkhead could emerge as the safer lineup option.

Burkhead (knee) isn't in line to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The same goes for rookie back Sony Michel (knee), but given that both have been practicing, it looks like the duo will be available for Week 1 action. Considering the Patriots' typical injury-reporting methodology, we'd expect both Burkhead and Michel to be officially listed as limited practice participants next week, and questionable designations for the team's season-opener against Houston seem probable for them. Looming roster cuts may alter the composition of the team's early-season backfield, but in any case, we'd expect Burkheads to get his share of touches out of the gate, with Jeff Howe of the Athletic suggesting that the versatile running back will be a focal point of the New England offense in 2018, notably while wideout Julian Edelman serves a four-game suspension to start the season.

Burkhead (knee) isn't expected to play in Friday night's preseason game against the Panthers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The same applies to fellow running back Sony Michel (knee), though it's important to note that Burkhead appears closer to being cleared for game action than his rookie teammate, considering that he has already returned to the practice field on a limited basis.

Burkhead (knee) was present for practice Tuesday, but did not participate in positional drills at the beginning of the session, the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Jeff Howe of The Athletic Boston, Burkhead has been dealing with what's been referred to as a slight tear in his knee. Though that sounds ominous, Howe adds that there's a good chance it's an issue Burkhead could have played through in a regular-season context. Supporting the notion that the injury is not a major concern is the running back's continued presence on the field, since returning to practice Sunday. With first-rounder Sony Michel still not practicing following a knee procedure, Burkhead (assuming his health) is candidate to see added work out of the gate this season, in the event that Michel is limited, or even sidelined, to start the coming campaign.