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Rex Burkhead | Running Back | #34

Team: New England Patriots
Age / DOB:  (27) / 7/2/1990
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 210
College: Nebraska
Drafted: 2013 / Rd. 6 (190) / CIN
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Rex Burkhead (ribs) is out for Week 3 against the Texans.
As expected. Burkhead went down with a rib injury Sunday at New Orleans and wasn't able to practice this week. Burkhead's absence could open up snaps for Dion Lewis. Sep 22 - 4:45 PM
Source: Ben Volin on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (ribs) remained sidelined at Friday's practice.

He hasn't practiced all week and looks doubtful at best for Week 3 against the Texans. If Burkhead sits, we'd see more Dion Lewis as the No. 3 back.
Source: Jeff Howe on Twitter
Sep 22 - 12:17 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (ribs) did not practice Thursday.

Burkhead also missed Wednesday's session, putting his availability for Week 3 in serious doubt. If Burkhead cannot go, Dion Lewis should see more snaps against the Texans.
Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter
Sep 21 - 12:52 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (ribs) is not practicing Wednesday.

Burkhead was forced to leave Week 2 against the Saints after scoring a first-half touchdown on five touches. Dion Lewis played more in his absence.
Source: Zack Cox on Twitter
Sep 20 - 1:02 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead exited Week 2 against the Saints with an injury to his ribs.

Burkhead saw five touches in the first half including a 19-yard touchdown catch to get the scoring started, but he was not involved in the second half. Now we know he was dealing with an injury, and he exited to the locker room in the fourth quarter. He is officially questionable to return.
Sep 17 - 3:38 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss expects Rex Burkhead to play more snaps Week 2.

Burkhead was limited to 10 plays in the season opener, but the Patriots are incredibly thin at receiver with Danny Amendola (concussion, knee) out. Reiss does not expect Burkhead to suddenly become a slot receiver, but he does think New England will get him and James White on the field together to help out the passing attack. Even so, Burkhead cannot be trusted in fantasy lineups against the Saints.
Source: ESPN
Sep 16 - 11:18 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

CSN New England's Mike Giardi believes Rex Burkhead is a "logical choice" to see snaps at slot receiver Week 2 against the Saints.

With Danny Amendola (concussion, knee) looking doubtful at best to play Sunday, the Patriots only have three healthy receivers on the roster, and one of them, Phillip Dorsett, has only been on the team for two weeks and barely knows the offense. Burkhead played the slot at times with the Bengals and is a natural pass catcher. It'd be a way to get him on the field more after Burkhead played just 10 snaps Week 1. Still, Burkhead can't be trusted in fantasy this week.
Source: CSN New England
Sep 15 - 8:53 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead played 10-of-81 offensive snaps in the Week 1 loss to the Chiefs.

Burkhead got the start for the Patriots, playing the opening two snaps before being replaced on third down by James White, and it was all White (43 snaps) and Mike Gillislee (24) the rest of the way. Behind those three, Dion Lewis was in the game for six plays. Gillislee delivered three goal-line touchdowns, pretty much confirming he's this year's version of LeGarrette Blount for the Patriots. That could change any moment, but Burkhead isn't a viable start for Week 2.
Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter
Sep 8 - 9:51 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead rushed three times for 15 yards in the Patriots' Week 1 loss to the Chiefs, adding an eight-yard catch.

Burkhead stunningly started the game, playing the first two snaps, but quickly gave way to James White and Mike Gillislee. As was expected most of the summer, Gillislee was the man in short-yardage situations. White out-targeted Burkhead 5-3 in the passing game. Encouragingly, one of Burkhead's missed connections was an end zone look. He should be a factor at some point in 2017, it's just hard to know when. He'll be a risky RB4/5 against the Saints in Week 2.
Sep 8 - 1:05 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

The Boston Herald expects a "big night" for Rex Burkhead and James White in Thursday's opener.

The Patriots' backfield has remained a mystery since coach Bill Belichick proclaimed presumed early-down starter Mike Gillislee still had a "ways to go." Burkhead hype has been bubbling under, while White's pass-catching role is presumed to have grown since Julian Edelman's injury. Burkhead is a high-upside Week 1 dart throw. Gillislee is a volatile RB3/FLEX.
Related: Mike Gillislee, James White
Source: Jeff Howe on Twitter
Sep 7 - 2:42 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (undisclosed) returned to Patriots practice on Monday.

Burkhead sat out the Patriots' third preseason game, but there was never any word of an injury. Burkhead's role to begin the season is unclear. New England arguably has the NFL's least-certain running back situation as of August 28.
Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter
Aug 28 - 11:16 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead rushed seven times for 20 yards and caught 3-of-3 targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' second preseason game.

Burkhead's 22-yard touchdown came on a bullet from Tom Brady over the middle, and he evaded Texans ILB Zach Cunningham to the house. Burkhead operated as the Patriots' feature back on Saturday night, gobbling up all of the first- and second-down snaps with the Tom Brady group. James White did enter on third downs, but Burkhead was highly active in the passing game. With Mike Gillislee (hamstring) still on the shelf, Burkhead is a legitimate contender for New England's Week 1 starting running back job.
Aug 19 - 9:04 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

CSN New England's Mike Giardi reports the Patriots "haven't been shy" about getting Rex Burkhead reps in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

The team already knows Burkhead can excel as a pass catcher, but coach Bill Belichick wants more diversity out of his running backs, which has led to Burkhead getting goal-line reps. He's the one back in New England who has a full three-down skill set. While Mike Gillislee remains the favorite for the LeGarrette Blount role, Burkhead shouldn't be written off. As Giardi notes, in free agency, "Burkhead was chased by Belichick and Belichick alone."
Source: CSN New England
Aug 4 - 9:45 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Carl Brooks of the Boston Herald said Rex Burkhead "was easily one of the best offensive players on the field" during Wednesday's OTA practice.

Brooks added Burkhead "saw plenty of first-team reps." Burkhead's potential offensive role took a hit when the Patriots signed Mike Gillislee, but there is still a place for him if he shows up big during training camp. No matter his role on offense, Burkhead should be a key cog on special teams.
Source: Boston Herald
Jun 8 - 12:15 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Speaking Wednesday, Browns coach Hue Jackson said new Patriots RB Rex Burkhead will "flourish" in New England.

"He's very talented," Jackson said. "He's going to get his opportunity now, and he's going to flourish. He's a really good player. A really good player. He's very versatile because he's a good runner, a good pass-catcher. He's a good blocker. He brings a lot of different elements to that football team." Jackson's opinion is notable because he was Burkhead's position coach and OC in Cincinnati before taking the Browns job. Burkhead's hype continues to build.
Source: CSN New England
Mar 29 - 3:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Tom Brady
2Jimmy Garoppolo
RB1Mike Gillislee
2James White
3Dion Lewis
4Rex Burkhead
5Brandon Bolden
GLB1Mike Gillislee
2Rex Burkhead
3RB1James White
2Dion Lewis
FB1James Develin
WR11Brandin Cooks
2Danny Amendola
3Matthew Slater
WR21Chris Hogan
2Phillip Dorsett
3Malcolm Mitchell
WR31Danny Amendola
TE1Rob Gronkowski
2Dwayne Allen
3Jacob Hollister
LT1Nate Solder
2LaAdrian Waddle
LG1Joe Thuney
C1David Andrews
RG1Shaq Mason
RT1Marcus Cannon
2Cameron Fleming
3Cole Croston
K1Stephen Gostkowski