The New England Patriots has had to start their 2016 season without their best running back from the prior year. Dion Lewis, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in week 8, spent the offseason rehabbing and thus started the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Exactly two weeks ago, Lewis returned to practice which started the Patriots’ 21-day window to either activate him to the active roster or declare his season over. Safe to say, the former will happen – maybe even as early as today.
New England has made the first move for that and let one of its backup running backs go, according to Doug Kyed:
Perhaps a sign of things to come: The Patriots released RB Tyler Gaffney, according to a source.
Gaffney, who is in his third NFL season, has still to appear in a non-preseason game. He started the season on injured reserve but was waived off the list and later signed to the Patriots’ practice squad. One day prior to the Patriots’ week 8 game against the Buffalo Bills, Gaffney was promoted to the active roster.
Now, the 25-year old is off the roster again. If he clears waivers, he could be re-signed to New England’s practice squad, which currently has an open roster spot after losing defensive tackle Anthony Johnson to the New York Jets.