FOXBORO, Mass. — Dion Lewis officially returned to New England Patriots practice Thursday.
Lewis opened the season on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing multiple knee surgeries since November and returned a week after he was eligible to begin practicing again. Lewis tore his ACL in Week 9 of the 2015 season against the Washington Redskins.
The Patriots now have 21 days to activate Lewis off of the PUP list. Otherwise, Lewis would be placed on PUP/reserve, and his season would be over. The Patriots don’t need to make Lewis active in games immediately after activating him off the PUP list.
Lewis emerged as the Patriots’ starting running back in 2015 before suffering the knee injury.
Patriots defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (back) was the lone absence in Patriots practice. Guard Tre’ Jackson, also on PUP, hasn’t begun practicing.
The Patriots have an open spot on their 53-man roster. They could choose to activate Lewis, trade for or sign a player outside the organization or add a player off their practice squad before Sunday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
