After being unable to name practice players of the week last week courtesy of a loss against the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots were back to handing out the honors again this week. Overall, the coaching staff picked eight players who played a key role in helping the team prepare for last Sunday's 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are as follows:
RB Brandon Bolden
RB Rex Burkhead
RB Mike Gillislee
DB David Jones
OL Ted Karras
RB Dion Lewis
CB Ryan Lewis
RB James White
Two things stand out when looking at the list above: 1) Seven of the eight players – all except practice squad cornerback Ryan Lewis – were part of the last batch of practice players of the week as well. 2) The entire running back depth chart is present once again, which is not a surprise considering that Pittsburgh has one of the best backs in the NFL on its roster in Le'Veon Bell.
Week 2: DB Nate Ebner, DL Geneo Grissom, TE Jacob Hollister
Week 3: DL Adam Butler, DL Geneo Grissom, WR Cody Hollister, DB Damarius Travis
Week 5: Unknown
Week 6: DL Angelo Blackson, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, DB David Jones, OL Ted Karras, DB Damarius Travis
Week 7: RB Rex Burkhead, LB Marquis Flowers, DL Geneo Grissom, WR Cody Hollister, LB Trevor Reilly, CB Jomal Wiltz
Week 8: TE Dwayne Allen, OL Cole Croston, WR Cody Hollister, TE Jacob Hollister, CB Ryan Lewis, DB Jomal Wiltz
Week 10: DL Geneo Grissom, DL Mike Purcell, DB Damarius Travis, WR Riley McCarron, OL Cameron Fleming
Week 11: RB Brandon Bolden, OL James Ferentz, DL Geneo Grissom, WR Riley McCarron, DB David Jones
Week 12: WR Cody Hollister, QB Brian Hoyer, WR Riley McCarron, LB Trevor Reilly, DB Damarius Travis
Week 13: RB Brandon Bolden, RB Rex Burkhead, RB Mike Gillislee, DB David Jones, OL Ted Karras, DE Eric Lee, RB Dion Lewis, WR Bernard Reedy, DB Damarius Travis, RB James White