Mike Gillislee, In or Out?

With the preseason coming towards a conclusion and final rosters needing to be submitted within the next week, let's take a look at a Patriot running back sitting on the roster bubble. 

After a disappointing and injury-plagued first season in New England last year, running back Mike Gillislee entered his second campaign with the team as a major question mark to make the team.

The addition of former Cincinnati Bengal power back Jeremy Hill in the offseason also seemed to question whether Gillislee was poised to make the team out of camp.

Gillislee, who dealt with injuries last season, was slowed a bit by injuries to start training camp this summer.

He has played in all three preseason games thus far, however, carrying the ball 33 times for 100 yards. The average of just over three yards per carry is nothing to write home about and more in line with his sub par 2017 performance not his two strong years spent in Buffalo the two seasons prior.

WHat might keep Gillislee around, however, is the uncertainty of the status of rookie first round pick Sony Michell, who has yet to suit up for a preseason game and has been dealing with an undisclosed injury.

If Michel is placed on injured reserve to start the season, Gillislee could find a way to sneak onto the roster, as the second big back. Michel's absence would likely cause Rex Burkhead to play a bigger role in the passing game, leaving room for Gillislee to fill a role as a power back alongside Hill.

As of now, however, it looks like Gillislee's Patriot tenure might be coming to an end.