SONY MICHEL NEWS

Could see added work early on A hand injury could threaten the Week 1 status of Michel's teammate Damien Harris, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Impact There had been a good deal of positive buzz regarding Harris' play in training camp. That led to speculation that he could even supplant Michel -- who underwent offseason foot surgery -- as the Patriots' top early down back or at a minimum be a key part of a backfield time-share. If Harris does indeed miss time early on, or is is limited at all out of the gate, there's a path for Michel -- who has looked good since returning to practice Aug. 26 -- to see an uptick in carries, especially if Lamar Miller isn't quite ready for prime-time as he bounces back from an ACL injury. In any case, reliable weekly volume could be an issue for any member of the team's running back corps this season, given that pass-catching ace James White and the versatile Rex Burkhead are also in the mix for touches.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Pats preparing to make tough roster calls at O-line, WR, RB

An abnormal preseason, combined with having a league-leading eight players opt out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns has created some tough decisions for the Patriots...

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Back in form after injury Patriots running back coach Ivan Fears said Wednesday that he's pleased with the way Michel has looked since being activated from the team's PUP list Aug. 26, Zack Cox of NESN.com...

Impact Fears also relayed that the running back "got heavy" following his offseason foot surgery, but added that Michel's weight is "good" now. Michel, who led the Patriots in rushing in both of his first two NFL seasons, is currently competing for the team's lead role with second-year player Damien Harris and veteran addition Lamar Miller (knee), who was removed from New England's PUP list Monday. With that in mind, Harris had been impressive in Michel's absence, but he's missed a couple of practices in a row, while Miller, who's bouncing back from a torn ACL, has some catching up to do. With the versatile Rex Burkhead and pass-catching specialist James White also on hand, the team's deep backfield looks like a potential headache for fantasy players, with a committee approach and game-specific snap allotments both looking possible this season.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Patriots gear up for opener with Gillette simulation

The New England Patriots held a game simulation inside Gillette Stadium

AUGUST 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fantasy Injury Updates: David Montgomery, Sony Michel, A.J. Green, more impacting rankings, drafts David Montgomery's injury headlined Wednesday's news, but Sony Michel, A.J. Green, Deebo Samuel, and Keke Coutee also have updates that will...

AUGUST 27, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Cam Newton slowly making his way into Patriots' culture

Patriots quarterback Cam Newton says he doesn’t think he has emerged as the front-runner to be the starting quarterback yet

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Looks good in return to field Michel (foot) was a full participant during individual and team drills Wednesday, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Per Guregian, Michel "appeared a bit trimmer than his official 5-foot-11, 215-pound" listing and "pretty much traded reps with Damien Harris" in what was the third-year back's first practice of 2020 after he was activated from the PUP list earlier in the day. With the Patriots seemingly content with wear he stands from a health standpoint, Michel will now work toward securing a key role in the team's backfield. Given that Harris has been having a strong training camp, a timeshare between the two could be on tap, with the versatile Rex Burkhead and pass-catching specialist James White also factoring into the mix.

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Rapoport: Sony Michel returned to practice Wednesday, removed from PUP list NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports the New England Patriots activated RB Sony Michel from the PUP list.

AUGUST 26, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Michel returns to Patriots practice for first time since foot surgery New England Patriots running back Sony Michel returned to training camp for the first time since undergoing foot surgery in May, according t...

AUGUST 26, 2020 • THESCORE.COM

Taken off PUP list The Patriots removed Michel (foot) from the PUP list Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Michel was spotted in uniform before Wednesday's practice, and his removal from the PUP list is confirmation he's participating, albeit to an unknown extent. Coming back from May foot surgery, he'll have about two and a half weeks to ramp up before the Patriots host the Dolphins in their Sept. 13 season opener. Damien Harris reportedly has built up a strong case for an expanded role in his second professional season, but it won't come as any big surprise if Michel gets another shot at operating as the Pats' lead runner.

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Spotted at practice Michel (foot) is present for Wednesday's practice, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Impact While nothing has been officially reported, Michel's involvement in practice would mean that he's been removed from the PUP list. His absence from training camp thus far has allowed second-year back Damien Harris to shine, but there's still some chance Michel will be the lead ballcarrier come September.

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Harry returns, Stidham still limited at Patriots' camp

Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry was back on the field for Sunday’s practice, but second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham was held back during combined team drills after also be...

AUGUST 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not ruled out for opener Greg A. Bedard of Bostonsportsjournal.com indicates that it "sounds like" Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears hasn't ruled out the possibility of Michel (foot) being ready for...

Impact "I think he'll be ready when he has a shot to get out there," Fears said of Michel, who remains on the Patriots' active/PUP list. "Hopefully we have some time before the first game for him to be out there. If not, we'll take him when we get him." With both Michel and Lamar Miller (knee) on the PUP list, Damien Harris has seen added training camp reps, allowing him to make a case to potentially handle the team's early-down work if Michel and/or Miller aren't ready to play in Week 1. Meanwhile, James White is on hand to reprise his change-of-pace/pass-catching role, while the versatile Rex Burkhead is also available to work in various situations.

AUGUST 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

What is Sony Michel’s future in New England? How he recovers from his offseason foot surgery, and how soon it happens, could impact not only this year, but 2021 as well.

AUGUST 20, 2020 • BOSTON.COM

Door is open for Patriots' Harris to contribute in 2nd year

Damien Harris hardly saw the field for the New England Patriots last season

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lamar Miller becomes Sony Michel insurance for Patriots How does adding Lamar Miller impact Sony Michel, the New England Patriots? The New England Patriots signed former Houston Texans and Miami D...

AUGUST 13, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Uncertain for Week 1 The Patriots' signing of Lamar Miller may be related to uncertainty regarding Michel (foot) being ready for Week 1, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Impact The foot surgery Michel had in May initially was said to be minor, but it's now fair to question that sentiment as he lingers on the PUP list through the second week of team activities. The Patriots are scheduled to begin practicing Wednesday, and Michel won't be able to join his teammates until/unless he's activated from the list. In addition to Miller, the Patriots have James White, Damien Harris and Rex Burkhead as solid options to take backfield reps with the first-team offense.

AUGUST 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sony Michel Fantasy Value Plummets Following Injury Update Sony Michel has been a really effective player at times. But given how dominant he was in college, and how electric he looked while doing it...

AUGUST 2, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Morning sports update: Sony Michel’s status for training camp reportedly ‘up in the air’ The 2018 first-round pick reportedly had foot surgery in May.

JULY 29, 2020 • BOSTON.COM

Status remains murky Michel (foot) may not receive clearance to practice by the time the Patriots are first eligible to do so Aug. 12, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports

Impact Michel remains in recovery mode from May foot surgery, which was undertaken to mitigate lingering discomfort. The maintenance-based procedure has left him with at least a two-month rehabilitation and seemingly longer, if Howe's report is to be believed. Per the terms of the amended collective bargaining agreement, teams can begin to practice Aug. 12, with a start date of Aug. 17 for padded sessions. Once he's able to get back on the field, Michel will look to fend off Damien Harris and Rex Burkhead for early down work in the Patriots offense.

JULY 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cam Newton will make Sony Michel a better fantasy performer in 2020 Cam Newton has the chance to make Sony Michel a good fantasy player. By signing former NFL MVP Cam Newton to a one-year deal, the New Englan...

JULY 16, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Training in Foxborough Michel has been rehabbing from foot surgery at the team facility, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact While most players won't be allowed to use NFL team facilities until training camp, guys who are rehabbing injuries have been permitted to work with trainers. Michel had foot surgery in May, with reports suggesting it was a minor procedure to relieve lingering discomfort. He doesn't appear to be using a walking boot, but it's otherwise unclear how he's progressing through the rehab process. Any missed practice time could free up additional first-team reps for Damien Harris and Rex Burkhead.

JULY 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Watch: The Moment Nick Chubb and Sony Michel Changed Kirby's UGA Dean Legge talks about the decision Nick Chubb and Sony Michel made in December of 2016 to come back to UGA and help the Dawgs win their fir...

JUNE 30, 2020 • YARDBARKER.COM

What is Sony Michel’s fantasy football value for 2020? Is Sony Michel a sneaky-good fantasy football value play in 2020? The New England Patriots will have a different feel to them this fall. Aft...

JUNE 27, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Giardi: Sony Michel recovering from foot surgery, return timetable unknown NFL Network's Mike Giardi reports New England Patriots RB Sony Michel is recovering from foot surgery and says his return timetable is unkno...

JUNE 12, 2020 • YAHOO.COM