As we noted in the Update, ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss didn't consider LeGarrette Blount a lock for the 53-man roster. Blount is coming off hip surgery and missed all of New England's spring practices. New England has never seemed particularly attached to main running backs like Blount and Stevan Ridley before him.
Reiss's comment, though, was in the context of Blount's health being uncertain. But he's apparently fine, since he avoided being placed on the active PUP list at the start of training camp. Dion Lewis, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola all found their way onto that list, meaning they're not medically available to practice coming off -- respectively -- knee, foot and knee/ankle surgeries.
"If he returns to full health and runs hard like he did at times in 2015," said Reiss, "there shouldn't be any issues."
Not that Blount's roster spot should suddenly be considered secure. Donald Brown is a candidate for that main running back role, and the team will use plenty of passing formations, with Lewis (once healthy) or James White out there on the field. Blount obviously won't be a factor as a receiver, having caught 18 passes in 44 games with New England.
But the fact that Blount is healthy and in shape indicates he's fine, and probably aware he needs a strong camp to assure himself of a starting job (and roster spot). For now, so far, so good.
Looking at the timeline, there might be a little too much optimism in fantasy circles with regard to Lewis. He tore his ACL on November 8, which means he'll be just 10 months removed from the injury at the start of the season. As a shifty, elusive type of running back, assuming he'll be fully healthy in Week 1 might be a mistake. Don't count on the Patriots providing regular status updates, either.
Not that anyone should be throwing picks at James White, who's been a disappointment, but caution when selecting Lewis is in order. He's no lock to be out there filling the same role he did a year ago in September.
--Andy Richardson