Burkhead (knee) was not spotted at practice Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Patriots haven't officially ruled Burkhead out for Sunday's game against the Bills, though some reports suggest that the running back might be held out until the postseason. If that plausible scenario ensues, look for Mike Gillislee (who was a healthy scratch in Week 15) to be active this weekend for the first time since Oct. 29.

The MRI that Burkhead underwent Monday revealed the running back is dealing with a sprained knee, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The Patriots are optimistic Burkhead will be ready to play in the postseason.

EDGE Analysis

Considering there were initially some fears Burkhead may have sustained ligament damage to the knee after exiting early in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Steelers, the fact that he's only dealing with a sprain qualifies as good news. While the injury will likely keep Burkhead out for season-long fantasy championships in Week 16, it sounds like he could warrant consideration in postseason pools if his knee heals as expected. Look for the Patriots to lean primarily on Dion Lewis and James White in Burkhead's absence, though Mike Gillislee, who has been inactive for the past six games, should also reenter the backfield mix.

The Patriots believe Burkhead suffered a knee sprain and a bruise, potentially setting him up to return for the playoffs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead apparently is expected to miss some time even if Monday's MRI doesn't reveal any major ligament damage. He was able to walk off the field under his own power in the third quarter of Sunday's 27-24 win over the Steelers, finishing with four carries for 12 yards and a touchdown and one reception for five yards. Given that he had six touchdowns the past four weeks, Burkhead's likely upcoming absence could create more scoring opportunities for Dion Lewis, though it's also possible the Patriots bring back Mike Gillislee as their goal-line back. James White is the other candidate to take on some of Burkhead's snaps, but not the goal-line/short-yardage carries.

Initial tests suggest Burkhead (knee) avoided a major injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although he could still miss time, Burkhead seems to have avoided the worst-case scenario of major ligament damage. He was injured in the third quarter of Sunday's 27-24 win over the Steelers, and while he managed to walk off the field under his own power, the Patriots didn't wait long before ruling him out for the rest of the game. An absence for Week 16 against the Bills could allow Mike Gillislee to re-enter the game plan, but it's also possible the Patriots would just give Dion Lewis and/or James White more snaps. Burkhead has primarily been an asset near the goal line, scoring six times on 45 touches the past four weeks.

Burkhead was forced out of Sunday's game against the Steelers with a knee injury.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to his exit, Burkhead logged four carries for 12 yards and a TD and added a catch for five yards. In his absence, added touches are available for Dion Lewis and James White and if Burkhead is forced to miss additional time beyond Week 15, the team can dust of Mike Gillislee, who was a healthy scratch Sunday.

Burkhead rushed five times for eight yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 27-20 loss to the Dolphins, when he also caught all five of his targets for 45 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead was more involved in the passing game than usual, perhaps a side effect of the big-bodied Rob Gronkowski being suspended, but his rushing output fell short following two straight 50-plus-yard outings. Nonetheless, with a three-yard run during the second quarter, Burkhead has now scored in three straight games, and seven times in nine total appearances this season. Established as New England's goal-line option, a fruitful role in many seasons past, Burkhead's scoring threat gives him decent upside even if he doesn't consistently rack up the yards in New England's backfield committee.

Burkhead rushed 12 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns while also bringing in three of four targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 23-3 win over the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead once again vultured a pair of red-zone rushing opportunities from Dion Lewis, going in from one and 14 yards out in the third quarter. The versatile tailback has three rushing scores over the past two games and has seen double-digit carries in each of those contests, with Lewis mirroring the latter tally. The nearly equal workload for both backs at least provides some clarity to the typically muddled Patriots backfield and keeps Burkhead as a viable option in season-long postseason battles and in daily formats.

Burkhead rushed 13 times for 50 yards and a touchdown and brought in both of his targets for three yards and another score in Sunday's 35-17 win over the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead had the misfortune of fumbling right in front of head coach Bill Belichick in a Week 11 win over the Raiders in Mexico City, but he made sure to put that gaffe firmly in the rear-view mirror Sunday. The fifth-year back bulled his way in for a two-yard rushing touchdown in to cap off the Patriots' opening possession and subsequently logged his third receiving score of the campaign by making a one-yard grab midway through the second quarter. Burkhead continues to see steady usage despite the plethora of backfield options in New England, rendering him a viable fantasy option in all season-long and daily formats on a weekly basis.

Burkhead was on the field for 19 of a possible 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 33-8 win over the Raiders ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Mike Gillislee a healthy scratch for the second straight game, Burkhead worked behind Dion Lewis (26 snaps, 10 carries) en route to rushing five times for 16 yards and hauling in four of his six targets for 21 yards. Meanwhile, it's notable that Burkhead's fumble on the Patriots' opening drive didn't result in an extended benching, while fellow running back James White was barely used in the passing game. Looking ahead, Burkhead is an option in deeper PPR formats, but with so many mouths to feed in the New England offense, his volume figures to vary from week-to-week, thanks to the coaching staff's tendency to roll out context or opponent-specific game plans.

Burkhead, who logged 36 out of a possible 70 snaps on offense, carried 10 times for 36 yards and caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and a TD in Sunday's 41-16 win over the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, Dion Lewis recorded 14 carries for 55 yards and a TD on 21 snaps, while James White parlayed his 11 snaps into two carries and three catches for 11 yards, one of which was a TD. With the Patriots electing to roll with four tight ends Sunday, power back Mike Gillislee was a healthy scratch, but it's quite possible that game-plan motivated move won't carry into Week 11. In any case, while Burkhead can't be counted on for workhorse-back production, his role in the Patriots offense is growing to the point that he's worthy of lineup consideration in deeper fantasy formats, in particular PPR arrangements.