Report: Shane Vereen To Undergo Surgery For Broken Wrist, Will Miss Several Weeks
BOSTON (CBS) -- When Stevan Ridley was taken out of Sunday's Week 1 win for the Patriots, it was Shane Vereen who stepped up and seized the moment as a feature back in Tom Brady's offense. He looked to be poised to perhaps take over as the team's top back, but that plan is going to be on hold for a while.
According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, Vereen broke "a small bone" in his wrist on his first play in the Patriots' win over the Bills. WBZ-TV's Dan Roche confirmed on Tuesday that Vereen will miss at least four weeks after undergoing surgery on Monday.
As a testament to Vereen's toughness, Glazer reported that Vereen played the whole game with the broken bone, "but experienced numbness afterwards as bone sits on nerve."
Vereen, in his third year with the Patriots, turned in the best performance of his career on Sunday. He rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries (7.21 yards per attempt) and he also caught seven passes for 58 yards.
Ridley was benched on Sunday after the lost a fumble on a play in which he was not hit, but he will be getting the bulk of the carries during Vereen's absence. Ridley ran for 46 yards on nine carries prior to the benching.
The Patriots will also use LeGarrette Blount and possibly Brandon Bolden or Leon Washington as well in the backfield.
