Player Page

Weather | Roster

Rex Burkhead | Running Back | #34

Team: New England Patriots
Age / DOB:  (28) / 7/2/1990
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 215
College: Nebraska
Drafted: 2013 / Rd. 6 (190) / CIN
Contract: view contract details
Share: 

Latest News

Recent News

Patriots placed RB Rex Burkhead (neck) on injured reserve.
The Patriots tipped this move after re-signing Kenjon Barner. Neck injuries can be serious, so it's possible Burkhead is shut down for the season. Sony Michel was playing ahead of Burkhead before he went down and is locked into the lead back role. James White will also have pass downs to himself with Burkhead out. Sep 26 - 12:15 PM
Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead suffered a neck injury in Week 3 against the Lions.

Burkhead went down with the injury in the fourth quarter. He didn't have a carry behind Sony Michel, but led the Patriots' backs in receiving with two catches for 26 yards. Burkhead is going to be in a race to get cleared for Week 4.
Sep 23 - 11:05 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead played 15-of-61 (25 percent) snaps Week 2 against the Jaguars.

Sony Michel only managed 13 while James White got in 34. That suggests Burkhead's usage was game-plan specific, but it is still concerning he disappeared for most of the second and third quarters, especially with Michel back in the fold. That said, this could be a buying opportunity. New England has averaged 17.7 rushing touchdowns over the last six seasons, but they have zero through two games. That should change in a hurry, and Burkhead is the most likely recipient of those scores.
Sep 17 - 10:19 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead rushed six times for 22 yards in the Patriots' Week 2 loss to the Jaguars.

Burkhead wasn't targeted in the passing game. Bafflingly, Burkhead "started" but then touched the ball zero times in the second or third quarter. Sony Michel was the only show in town on early downs with James White taking the lead in passing situations. It's possible Burkhead's multiple recent injuries played a part. Through two games, Burkhead has touched the ball just 25 times, with 19 of those coming in Week 1. With Michel healthy, Burkhead's RB2 status is up in the air. The Pats play the Lions in Week 3. The Lions have gotten mauled by pass-catching running backs early on.
Sep 16 - 7:57 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (concussion) is active for Week 2 against the Jaguars.

As is Sony Michel (knee), though Burkhead is expected to lead the Patriots' ground attack in carries. Burkhead is an RB2/FLEX in one of the toughest matchups he will have all year. Inactive for the Patriots are G/C Brian Schwenke, CB J.C. Jackson, WR Corey Coleman, DE Derek Rivers, RB Kenjon Barner, RT Marcus Cannon and CB Keion Crossen.
Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter
Sep 16 - 2:56 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Rex Burkhead (concussion) is expected to suit up against the Jaguars but "needs to clear pre-game warmups without any setbacks."

If Burkhead indeed gets cleared, he will be a low-end RB2/FLEX, even with Sony Michel (knee) expected to make his NFL debut. The Pats will need to have the short-passing game cranking against the Jaguars' elite front seven. We should get Burkhead's official status a little before 3PM ET.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Sep 16 - 11:17 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (questionable, concussion) traveled with the Patriots to Jacksonville.

Burkhead remains in the concussion protocol, but this puts him on track to be cleared. Most reports suggest he'll play after a limited week of practice. The Patriots could also get back Sony Michel (questionable, knee) for Sunday's game.
Source: Jeff Howe on Twitter
Sep 15 - 5:12 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (concussion) is questionable for Week 2 against the Jaguars.

First-round rookie RB Sony Michel (knee) is also questionable for Week 2. Both Burkhead and Michel were limited in practice throughout the week but have been prepping as if they'll play. Without Jeremy Hill (torn ACL) in the mix, New England's ground game would come to a complete halt if neither Burkhead nor Michel could suit up Sunday. Either way, James White projects to finish among the Pats' leaders in targets against Jacksonville.
Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter
Sep 14 - 4:21 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (concussion) was seen practicing on Thursday.

He was officially limited, though Jim McBride of the Boston Globe called him "limited at best." Already without Jeremy Hill (torn ACL), New England's ground game will be on life support if neither Burkhead nor Sony Michel (knee) can get cleared to face the Jaguars. James White is going to see a lot of targets either way.
Source: Jim McBride on Twitter
Sep 13 - 1:10 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry reports Rex Burkhead (concussion) was in pads and participated in individual drills during Wednesday's practice.

Burkhead was listed as a DNP because of a concussion on the official injury report. The fact he was already in pads and participating suggests he is close to being cleared. His participation on Thursday should tell the story.
Source: NBC Sports Boston
Sep 13 - 9:19 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead is in the concussion protocol.

Burkhead wasn't checked for a concussion in Week 1, so this comes as a surprise. This may be from the hit he took on his second-quarter fumble. Burkhead has four days to get cleared for Sunday's Jacksonville matchup. With Jeremy Hill on IR and Sony Michel (knee) questionable, the Patriots could be down to Kenjon Barner and James White at running back.
Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter
Sep 12 - 4:21 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead rushed 18 times for 64 yards in the Patriots' Week 1 win over the Texans, adding a five-yard reception.

Burkhead was targeted just three times in the passing game but was the Patriots' clear-cut lead rusher, especially after Jeremy Hill departed early in the third quarter with a knee injury. Whether that remains the case for Week 2 will depend on Sony Michel's (knee) health. Going up against the Jaguars next week, Burkhead could be featured more as a pass catcher against an elite defense where the Pats will need to counteract the rush.
Sep 9 - 5:42 PM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

NESN's Doug Kyed expects Rex Burkhead to be the Patriots' "top ball-carrier" Week 1 against the Texans.

Burkhead is over his summer knee issue and isn't even on the Week 1 injury report. However, some around the team expect Burkhead to be eased into the mix after battling recurring injuries throughout his time in New England. With Sony Michel (knee) likely to sit, it'll likely be Burkhead and Jeremy Hill on early downs with James White handling much of the pass-game work. Burkhead could flirt with 12-15 touches, putting him on the RB2/3 line as a FLEX play.
Source: NESN
Sep 7 - 11:38 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

ESPN's Mike Reiss expects Rex Burkhead (knee) to be "eased into the mix."

Burkhead is not even listed on the injury report, but Reiss contends there is "an acclimation process that still needs to take place." Perhaps he cedes more work than usual to Jeremy Hill -- Sony Michel (knee) is questionable at best -- but it would be a surprise if Burkhead does not lead New England in carries Week 1. Even so, he is a riskier than normal FLEX play.
Source: ESPN
Sep 6 - 9:43 AM
Rex Burkhead - RB - Patriots

Rex Burkhead (knee) isn't listed on the Patriots' Week 1 injury report.

Burkhead has practiced the last three weeks after a slight mid-August knee tear. There was some concern over his status, but this confirms he'll ready for the season. With Sony Michel (knee) questionable, Burkhead's in line for a heavy Week 1 role.
Source: Jeff Howe on Twitter
Sep 5 - 4:46 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Tom Brady
2Brian Hoyer
RB1James White
2Rex Burkhead
3Kenneth Farrow
4Sony Michel
5Jeremy Hill
6Kenjon Barner
GLB1Rex Burkhead
2Jeremy Hill
3RB1James White
2Rex Burkhead
FB1James Develin
WR11Chris Hogan
2Cordarrelle Patterson
WR21Josh Gordon
2Phillip Dorsett
3Julian Edelman
4Matthew Slater
WR31Cordarrelle Patterson
TE1Rob Gronkowski
2Dwayne Allen
3Stephen Anderson
4Jacob Hollister
LT1Trent Brown
LG1Joe Thuney
C1David Andrews
2Brian Schwenke
RG1Shaq Mason
2Ted Karras
RT1Marcus Cannon
2LaAdrian Waddle
K1Stephen Gostkowski