LeGarrette Blount Injury: Updates on Patriots RB's Hip and Return

New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount suffered a hip injury in the first half against the Houston Texans in Week 14. He has been ruled out for the season.

Continue for updates.

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Blount Placed on IR

Tuesday, Dec. 15

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Patriots have made the roster move to end Blount's season.

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Latest on Blount's Recovery

Tuesday, Dec. 15

ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss reported Blount was spotted walking with crutches.

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Blount Vital to Patriots Rush Attack

Blount, 29, has been excellent for New England this season, rushing for 650 yards and six touchdowns entering Week 14. He's had some of his best success in the NFL with New England, rushing for 772 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013 before a disappointing 2014 season split between the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. He's never quite replicated his rookie success, however, when he rushed for 1,007 yards and six touchdowns with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010.

The Patriots have utilized him as an early-down and short-yardage back to great effect, however, and his loss is a big one. Without him in the lineup, the team will turn to Brandon Bolden and James White out of the backfield, and will likely rely even more heavily on one of the league's top passing attacks, led by Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.

Still, a backfield that surprisingly became one of New England's strengths with a healthy Lewis and Blount has been weakened. Calling it a liability would be a stretch, but the Patriots are much better with Blount in the lineup.