New England Patriots running back Sony Michel is coming off of foot surgery, so his status for the beginning of 2020 is in question. But how much time will he miss?

Well, NFL analyst and former Patriots executive Michael Lombardi thinks that Michel could end up missing the first half of the season:

“I think Sony Michel is probably destined for PUP/reserve,” Lombardi said on The GM Shuffle podcast. “I think he’ll probably miss the first half of the season. I don’t think there’s any chance they’re going to rush him back. With his ankle, I think that train is gonna take a little bit of time to get out of the station.”

Michel has battled knee and ankle issues in the past, so lower body injuries are certainly nothing new to him.

Should Michel hit the physically unable to perform list as Lombardi predicts, he would miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season. New England could then proceed with Michel how it sees fit.

In order to combat Michel's murky health status, the Pats signed fellow halfback Lamar Miller earlier this week. Miller will join a Patriots backfield that also includes James White, Rex Burkhead and Damien Harris.

Michel is coming off of a 2019 campaign in which he played every game and rushed for 912 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 3.7 yards per carry in what was a disappointing season for him.

The 25-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Georgia, was originally selected by the Patriots in the first round (31st pick overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft and played a pivotal role in New England's run to a Super Bowl title during his rookie year.