The New England Patriots will host the Houston Texans in Foxboro for their season opener this coming Sunday, and their rookie running back, Sony Michel, may not be there to join them on the field.  Michel was among the group of players mentioned by Mark Reiss of ESPN in his list of Patriots players who are currently considered questionable for the Houston tilt.

Michel has reportedly been limited in practice this week, as he continues his recovery from a procedure done on his knee back in August. Michel injured his knee during the training camp, but was initially expected to play in Week 1 of this season.

Although the Patriots have not yet ruled out Sony Michel for Sunday’s game, it’s not going to be a surprise if they chose to sit the rookie out until they are 100 percent sure of his health. After all, the Patriots have plenty of assets in the backfield to use against Houston, with Rex Burkhead, James White, and Jeremy Hill expected to share the load for New England’s ground attack.

Drafted 31st overall in the first round this year by the Pats, Michel is expected to add needed playmaking ability out of the backfield for the team. He could’ve been selected earlier in the draft, but concerns about his health largely explain why he was kept on the board for so long before New England took him.

In four years with the Georgia Bulldogs, Sony Michel compiled 3,613 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. He also had 621 receiving yards and six TD receptions in college.