The New England Patriots were never going to head into Sunday's game with just two running backs on the active roster and NESN's Doug Kyed reports that practice squad running back Joey Iosefa is getting the promotion.
There were two likely candidates in Iosefa and recent practice squad addition Montee Ball as it would make far more sense to promote a player from within the program than to sign someone off of the street. Iosefa has been on the Patriots practice squad for the past two months.
The rookie Iosefa was a 7th round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, measuring 6'0, 250 lbs. He ran a 5.02 40 yard dash at the combine and has experience as a rusher and a pass catcher. Kyed notes that Iosefa has lost weight and hopefully gained some quickness.
It's possible that Iosefa will chip in with some of the offensive carries this week against the Titans, as the incumbent Brandon Bolden is too valuable on special teams to become a full time offensive contributor. Alternatively, the Patriots could very well have been grooming Iosefa to back-up Bolden's role on special teams for the past couple of months, so Bolden could receive an expanded role.
Only the coaching staff knows the projected usage of Iosefa.