Patriots place Burkhead on IR with neck injury

The New England Patriots have placed running back Rex Burkhead on the injured reserve after he suffered a neck injury on Sunday.

He becomes the second running back the Patriots have lost to serious injury in 2018 after Jeremy Hill tore his ACL in Week 1.

Burkhead recorded two receptions for 26 yards during Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions before being evaluated in the second half for the injury.

Without Burkhead, the Patriots' backfield workload shifts to rookie Sony Michel and pass-catching back James White. No Patriot running back has registered 100-plus rushing yards this season.

The Patriots re-signed running back Kenjon Barner and added defensive end John Simon after also placing linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley on IR.

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