Stevan Ridley misses another practice

New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (22) straight arms Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore (25) during the second half at Georgia Dome. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

It was initially believed that New England Patriots RB Stevan Ridley was simply getting a day of rest yesterday, but fantasy owners and Patriots fans should start to regard this as an injury that could potentially, though I doubt it, keep him out of this week’s big game against the Cincinnati Bengals. According to ESPN Boston’s Field Yates, Stevan Ridley missed practice yet again today, and there is now a possibility that he misses this week’s game against the Bengals.

However, Stevan Ridley is not expected to miss any games, because MassLive.com’s Nick Underhill reported yesterday that Ridley’s injury “is not considered serious”. Ridley is suffering from a lower thigh bruise that was initially classified as a knee injury, but the injury was not visible during Sunday’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Fantasy owners of Stevan Ridley should be more worried than Patriots fans at this point, because the Patriots have enough depth at RB with Brandon Bolden and LeGarrette Blount to make up for potentially losing Ridley. Though Ridley most likely plays on Sunday, the bigger worry for fantasy owners is that the Patriots simply decide to barely use him in light of the injury. A 1,000-yard rusher last year, the Patriots No. 1 back has already seen his role rolled back by the Pats, as they have employed some sort of a loose RBBC. At this point, I’m only a bit worried about Ridley’s chances of playing, but I think he isn’t a viable fantasy play this week.

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