An NFL team lost a running back to injury over the weekend, and fans are already posing the same question we hear every time a backfield vacancy opens up — what about Ray Rice?
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis will reportedly miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL in Sunday’s win over the Washington Redskins. The speculation about Rice, who is still a free agent, began almost immediately. Not surprisingly, the former Baltimore Ravens star did not rule it out.
Just asked Ray Rice for thoughts on posb. opp in NE w/ Lewis inj. He text me: “Same as before. Would be grateful for opportunity anywhere."
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 9, 2015
When I asked RB Ray Rice what type of shape is he in, he text back: "Playing shape. Never stopped working out.” #NFL
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 9, 2015
While anything is possible, it’s highly unlikely that the Patriots would sign Rice. When you hear the name Ray Rice, you immediately think about that disturbing video that showed him knocking his then-fiancee unconscious in an elevator. No one should ever forget about that, but let’s also remember that Rice will turn 29 in January and was showing signs of regressing before he became persona non grata in the NFL. He averaged just 3.1 yards per carry on 214 attempts in 2013, which was his last full season.
As for the Patriots, consider this:
Before linking Ray Rice to Pats, Robert Kraft said last year he'd be "shocked" if Rice ever plays in the NFL again.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 9, 2015
Rice simply isn’t worth the PR nightmare for any team.
