Sleeper Watch

The Patriots and Packers seem to be vying for a dubious distinction this season: to be the team to lose the most running backs to injury. While Green Bay has been forced to turn to fifth-stringer Samkon Gado, the Patriots have plugged in fullback Heath Evans as their primary ballcarrier. For both teams, the results have so far been better than could have been expected.

Picking up Evans two weeks ago after he was released by the Dolphins turned out to be a prescient move by the Patriots. With Kevin Faulk (foot) and Patrick Pass (hamstring) already sidelined, the team’s injury woes continued as starting RB Corey Dillon strained a calf muscle on the first play of Sunday’s game and proved unable to return. Evans stepped in and anchored New England’s ground attack the rest of the way, picking up 84 yards on 17 carries for an average of 4.9 yards per attempt, and also gaining 18 yards on three receptions. Evans didn’t find the end zone, but turned out to be a key factor in his new squad’s 23-16 win over the team that gave up on him, a victory that maintained the Patriots’ slim one-game lead in the AFC East.

Dillon’s status for the upcoming weekend is uncertain, but it seems probable that Evans will again be asked to shoulder a signifcant portion of the rushing load. That could be good news for owners who grab him off the waiver wire: on Sunday, the Patriots host the vagabond Saints, who currently rank 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at 139.3.

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