FOXBORO -- The Patriots have been considerably thinned at the running back spot over the last few weeks, but they could be getting some reinforcements relatively soon.
Rex Burkhead, who was placed on injured reserve in Week 4, was back on the practice field Thursday for the first time since late September. He was placed on IR with a neck injury after the Patriots lost to the Lions in Detroit, 26-10.
There has been some optimism for weeks that Burkhead would be able to make his way back to the active roster at some point in 2018. He's been working out at Gillette Stadium, and he was in the building to watch Sunday night's win over the Packers.
IR rules state that a player is not eligible to be activated until he's been on the reserve list for eight games. That would mean that Burkhead could return for a Week 13 matchup at home with the Vikings on Dec. 2.
The Patriots have leaned on James White and Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield in recent weeks with both Burkhead and Sony Michel out. Michel could return to action this weekend in Tennessee after dealing with a knee injury he suffered in Chicago.
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