Damien Harris is expected to get an expanded role with the New England Patriots in 2020, but he'll be sidelined to begin the season. According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Patriots placed Harris on injured reserve and will miss at least the first three games.

Harris, a third-round pick in 2019, saw limited playing time in his rookie year in New England. The Alabama product carried the ball just four times for 12 yards and suited up in just two games for the Patriots last season.

Nonetheless, Harris was able to see a majority of the reps with the starting offense this offseason while Sony Michel was recovering from offseason foot surgery. Michel is now back in the starting offense while Harris tends to a hand ailment to begin the season for the Patriots.

However, despite Michel beginning the season as the starter, his job could be in jeopardy once Harris returns to the lineup for the Patriots. After averaging 4.5 yards per attempt as a rookie in 2018, Michel garnered only 3.7 yards per attempt in 2019.

The former first-round pick out of Georgia seemed to lack the explosiveness that the Patriots are looking for at the running back position. Therefore, guys like Harris, James White, and even Rex Burkhead could steal snaps from Michel in 2020.

In response to Harris being placed on injured reserve, the Patriots promoted J.J. Taylor from their practice squad. Taylor, an undrafted rookie out of Arizona, impressed during training camp, per Yates.

Due to his hand injury, Harris is going to miss New England's first three games versus the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, and the Las Vegas Raiders. If Michel fails to impress, then Harris could unseat Michel as the starter for the Patriots as early as Week 4, or whenever he returns.