In his Friday mailbag, Pat Perry of NBC Sports Boston was asked if Damien Harris would get an opportunity to play with the Patriots having issues running the ball:

"...don't tell anyone this," Perry wrote. "But I think you should go get Damien Harris in your fantasy league and stash him until he's back. He's eligible to return Week 4. Whenever he hits the field, it'd make sense for the Patriots to see what they have."

"Sony Michel hasn't given them anything a replacement back couldn't. There's a replacement on the roster who looked like more than that this summer. Harris caught the ball smoothly and hit holes decisively."

Damien Harris is eligible to return from IR in Week 4. The Patriots deploy a handful of running backs weekly, but if Harris can show out in his return, goal line and early-down carries could be his. In a season with many prominent offensive players getting hurt, Harris could be a solid bye week fill-in or RB2.

The Patriots figure to ease Sony Michel, their No. 1 back from 2018 and 2019, into the mix after his offseason foot surgery. Michel returned to practice just two weeks ago.

Initial plans had Damien Harris as part of that RB rotation, as the 2019 third-round draft pick from Alabama caught the eye of running backs coach Ivan Fears, who had said, "From what we've seen, and the training camp he's had, he's pretty exciting."

Related players: James White, J.J. Taylor, Rex Burkhead

Michel said Sunday that his previously injured foot has responded well. Michel is the team's main banger between the tackles and the story added Taylor, who also returns punts, has drawn comparisons to former Patriots running back Dion Lewis. White is probably still the back to own in this offense, especially in PPR leagues.

The Patriots placed Damien Harris on IR, per source.

Related players: J.J. Taylor, Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead

The Patriots signed Taylor from their practice squad to take the place of Harris. Harris will have to miss at least three games per the new IR rule. The tweet went on to say Taylor had a great camp. He'll likely remain behind Michel, White and Burkhead.

RB Damien Harris remains out.

Related players: Sony Michel, James White

He had surgery on a broken pinkie and still has the sutures in (or at least he did as of last night), the rest of the tweet went on to say. Michel looks to be a go for Week 1 and will likely get a bulk of the carries against the Dolphins with White also be a factor, especially in the passing game.

Sony Michel had foot surgery in the offseason and said on Sunday that he likes “where I’m at and I am headed in the right direction” with Week One’s game against the Dolphins on the horizon.

“I would say I am in the best position possible right now to be able to go into Game One and be able to perform as best as I can,” Michel said, via WEEI.com. “The coaching staff, the training staff has done a great job preparing me for this opportunity. All I can do is go out there and give it all I have.”

Related players: Damien Harris, James White, Rex Burkhead

Michel’s absence from practice gave Harris a chance to make his case for playing time this summer, but Harris had surgery on his pinky and may not be ready to go. That would leave Michel, White and Burkhead to carry the backfield load with Michel likely to resume the leading role he’s filled for the last two seasons, the story said. White still seems like the back to own, especially in PPR leagues, but signs are starting to point to Michel being able to go Week 1 and is worth picking up.

Running back Lamar Miller practiced for the first time with his new team Monday.

Miller spent all of training camp, which ended Sunday, on the Patriots’ active/physically unable to perform list. He passed his physical, and the Patriots activated him from the PUP list.

Related players: Damien Harris, James White, Sony Michel

Miller, 29, tore an anterior cruciate ligament in the 2019 preseason while still with the Texans. Most think Miller is a depth signing since Michel remains on the PUP list and could miss the start of the season. Harris has looked good so far in camp thus far but White remains the back to own on the Patriots.

Patriots RB Sony Michel practiced for the first time this season on Wednesday.

Michel has been on the PUP list recovering from offseason foot surgery but finally made his training camp debut with just over two weeks until New England's first game. It will be interesting to see how Michel integrates with camp star Damien Harris and veteran receiving back James White. Michel has handled the early-down rushing work for the Patriots the last few seasons but is at risk of losing his role to Harris, who by all accounts has shined in training camp with Michel sitting.

Pass-catching back James White will also have a heavy role and could be in for a monster year if quarterback Cam Newton wins the starting job, considering the way Newton wore out Christian McCaffrey during their time together with the Panthers.

Related players: Sony Michel, Damien Harris, Lamar Miller

The story was mostly about Michel and the uncertainty around his foot injury. He's on the PUP list and may remain there into the season, missing the first six games. The story added all eyes will be on Harris who has been hurt by injuries but the team still seems high on him coming from Alabama and playing in the SEC, according to the story. We rank White the highest among the New England backs but the thinking is White will only have flex value in PPR leagues. But based on this story, White maybe ends up with a bigger role.

It’s still too early to know if Sony Michel (foot surgery) will be ready for the regular season.

Related players: Lamar Miller, Damien Harris, James White

Thus the reason for the signing of Miller. The Pats were also hurt by the opt-out of Brandon Bolden so they were a little short at the position. As always, the Patriots RB situation will be one to watch for fantasy owners. White is the back to own in PPR leagues.

Former Texans’ RB Lamar Miller and the Patriots reached agreement on a one-year deal, pending a physical.

Related players: Sony Michel, Damien Harris

With Michel still on the PUP list because of his foot, Miller should provide some insurance if Michel has to miss time to start the season. Remember, Miller tore his ACL and MCL last season playing for the Texans. This probably isn't good news for Harris who was expected to possibly get Michel's work. Miller becomes worth a pick later in fantasy drafts as we await Michel's status to open the season.