Patriots running back Sony Michel expected to play against Dolphins despite illness

The New England Patriots need a victory later today against the Miami Dolphins in order to secure a season-sweep of the AFC East and lock up a first-round playoff bye. And while it remains to be seen whether or not the team will be at full strength heading into the game, some encouraging news are coming out of Foxborough regarding one of the team’s offensive playmakers: Sony Michel, who was added to the injury report on Saturday.

The second-year running back headed into the day listed as questionable because of an illness, but according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter is expected to play against Miami. This is certainly a positive development not just for Michel himself but the Patriots as a whole: he is New England’s top early-down ball-carrier and looked much improved over the last few games, averaging more than four yards per carry in four of the last five contests.

The statuses of the other players listed as questionable on New England’s injury report, meanwhile, remain up in the air: wide receiver Julian Edelman (knee/shoulder), offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (ankle), linebackers Jamie Collins (shoulder), Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee) and Shilique Calhoun (illness), and defensive backs Jason McCourty (groin), Jonathan Jones (groin) and Terrence Brooks (groin) are no locks to play today.