When the New England Patriots take the field on Saturday night, the team will not have the services of two of their key contributors in the backfield.
According to ESPN, both running backs veteran running backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee are set to miss the contest due to their respective knee injuries.
New England Patriots running backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee, who are both listed as questionable with knee injuries, are not expected to play in Saturday's divisional-round playoff game against the Tennessee Titans, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Burkhead had been able to practice on a limited basis on Thursday but was unable to prove that he could suit up for Saturday night's tilt. He is dealing with a knee injury that he initially suffered on Dec. 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been out of the lineup since then. The 27-year-old has proven to be a major asset in both the running and passing game racking up 264 rushing yards with five touchdowns and hauling in 30 catches for 254 receiving yards with three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Gillislee has made most of his impact in the running game in his first season with the Patriots rushing for 383 yards and five touchdowns in nine games played. He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday for the first time since injuring his knee back in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. His availability this season has been limited due to being a healthy scratch five times while missing one due to an illness.
Their absence will put the bulk of the workload on both shoulders of Dion Lewis and James White against the Tennessee Titans. White has proven to be a more significant asset in the passing game while Lewis has to be a dependable contributor in the rushing attack.
The Patriots are set to face one of the league's most stiff run defenses in the Titans that ranked fourth in the league while giving up just 3.6 yards per attempt.
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