Shane

Vereen

Initially a second-round pick in 2011, Vereen split his NFL career between the Patriots and Giants. He was last on the Saints’ practice squad in 2019, and has been out of the NFL since then. Vereen is best known for his Super Bowl XLIX performance with the Pats, totaling 11 receptions for 64 yards en route to a ring. Through seven seasons, Vereen ended with 107 receptions for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 217 carries for 907 yards and seven touchdowns. DeMeco Ryans now adds the former running back to his Texans staff as a player personnel assistant.

Beat writer Josh Katzenstein observed Thursday that Vereen appeared to injure his right hand/fingers in the preseason finale. Vereen had not been expected to crack the 53-man roster. Now he should be cut loose with an injury settlement once he returns to full health. Headed into his age-29 season, Vereen did little of note during his three years with the Giants.

What’s notable here is that we finally have a body part to go with Ridley’s limited practice time. It sounds like he avoided the dreaded high-ankle sprain, and has turned a corner. Fellow rookie Shane Vereen (hamstring) was also limited Thursday. Neither player will have a major role in Week 1.

Reiss readily admits the Pats like to split snaps and “lean” on the passing-down back more than most teams. Even if Ridley ends up leading the backfield in snaps, his fantasy value is curbed by a looming timeshare with Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead. We still like Ridley as a Dynasty “buy” this offseason.

Vereen was an afterthought as a rookie, in large part because he missed a good portion of training camp and the regular season with nagging hamstring injuries. While Stevan Ridley impressed in limited doses (14 percent of offensive snaps), it was Vereen (1.5 percent of snaps) who was the higher draft pick last season. The Pats may opt for a “hot hand” approach between the two sophomores.

Addai visited the Patriots last month, but otherwise received no other known interest on the free agent market. In New England, his primary responsibilities will be limited to third-down/passing situations. Stevan Ridley remains the leading candidate for early-down work, while 2011 second-round pick Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead are complementary, change-of-pace options.

It’s a new injury for Vereen, who was not on Wednesday’s injury report. The rookie second-rounder missed much of training camp and early-season action due to a hamstring injury, so this could be an aggravation. His status will be updated Friday.

Vereen is believed to have suffered the injury in Thursday’s practice. His Week 13 status is completely unknown because the Patriots don’t comment on injury situations. Look elsewhere for a sleeper play at running back this week.

Vereen hasn’t played in the last two weeks and is off the fantasy radar.

As expected, veteran running back Kevin Faulk is active and will be making his 2011 debut. WLB Jerod Mayo is active for the first time since Week 4, while RT Sebastian Vollmer will suit up for just the second time all season. Barrett’s absence coupled with the fact that the Pats have just Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington and special teamers Antwan Molden and Phillip Adams active at cornerback should lead to a miserable day for their 32nd ranked pass defense.