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Burkhead carted to locker room after suffering knee injury (0:25)
Rex Burkhead takes a hit to his right knee on a third-down run and has to be carted to the locker room. (0:25)
3:27 PM ET
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Mike ReissESPN Staff Writer
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- Covered Patriots since 1997
- Joined ESPN in 2009
Veteran running back Rex Burkhead, a valuable chess piece for the New England Patriots’ offense, was carted to the locker room early in the third quarter of Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the Houston Texans with a knee injury.
Burkhead took a direct hit on his right knee on a third-down run in which he was stopped short and remained down for an extended period of time.
His absence left the Patriots with just two running backs for the remainder of their game against the Houston Texans — Damien Harris and James White.
Sony Michel was activated off injured reserve Saturday but was inactive for Sunday’s game. Undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor was also inactive.
Entering Sunday, Burkhead had 63 rushes for 267 yards and three touchdowns to go with 23 receptions for 187 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think Rex has always played well for us,” coach Bill Belichick said Friday. “He plays in the kicking game, has been productive offensively, blocking, picking up the blitz, running, catching, whatever we ask him to do. He’s been very, very good and very productive for us. I’m glad we have him. He’s a very versatile player.”
