FOXBORO, Mass. — Brandon Bolden looks like the favorite to starting at running back Thursday for the New England Patriots by process of elimination.
LeGarrette Blount is suspended, Jonas Gray was cut, and Bolden is the only remaining running back on the Patriots’ 53-man roster who weighs over 210 pounds.
The Patriots usually deploy two different roles at the position: the early-down back and the pass-catcher. Dependent upon who’s available to play, Bolden has played both spots. Since the Patriots are loaded with potential third-down backs — Dion Lewis, James White and Travaris Cadet — Bolden figures to see plenty of carries. He’s not doing anything differently this week leading up to Thursday’s opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, however.
“Just preparing myself like a normal week,” Bolden said Tuesday. “Ready to do what they need to me to do.”
Bolden carried the ball just 28 times for 89 yards and a touchdown last season. His most productive year came in 2013, when he had 55 carries for 271 yards with three touchdowns and 21 catches for 152 yards. He carried the ball 56 times for 274 yards with two touchdowns as a rookie.
He personally doesn’t view the early- or third-down jobs any differently.
“I just love playing football, so I don’t look at it that way,” Bolden said. “I never thought about it like that. I just like being out there, especially with this group of guys, whether it’s special teams or offense. None of that really matters, just that I’m out there playing football is all right for me.”
White and Lewis also could receive a fair share of carries against the Steelers, though Cadet likely will be mostly used as a receiver. He has just 11 carries for 37 yards in three NFL seasons. He caught 45 passes for 345 yards with two touchdowns from 2012 to 2014 with the New Orleans Saints.
It remains to be seen who will see the most action in the third-down role, though Lewis performed best in the preseason. The Patriots could continue to mix their running backs in Week 1 and go with the hot hand.
Thumbnail photo via Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports Images
