Shane Vereen Placed On Injured Reserve, With Designation To Return
BOSTON (CBS) -- Shane Vereen's wrist surgery is going to keep the running back off the field a bit longer than first reported, as the Patriots placed him on injured reserve on Tuesday afternoon.
However, Vereen was not placed on season-ending IR. He was placed on IR with a designation to return, which means he will have to miss at least eight weeks before being activated by the team.
The Patriots have their bye in Week 10, which could set up for a Week 11 return for Vereen, on Monday Night Football in Carolina.
Vereen reportedly suffered a broken wrist early in Sunday's game against the Bills, but he played through it and turned in the most complete performance of his career.
The third-year running back had taken over for Stevan Ridley as the primary running back, after Ridley had a costly fumble that led to a Bills touchdown. Ridley will presumably take back those duties in Vereen's absence, and the Patriots also have LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden and Leon Washington on the roster.
The Patriots re-signed tight end Matthew Mulligan to replace Vereen on the 53-man roster.
