With LeGarrette Blount set to serve a one-game suspension in Week 1, Gray is a candidate to head the Patriots' backfield in the team's regular season opener against the Steelers.

With LeGarrette Blount set to serve a one-game suspension in Week 1, Gray is a candidate to head the Patriots' backfield in the team's regular season opener against the Steelers.

Analysis:

Gray made a big splash last season in Week 11, when he carried 37 times for 201 yards with four TDs against the Colts, but he was quickly supplanted by Blount after arriving late for practice just days later. Once Blount returns to action in Week 2, Gray figures to move into a backup role, but in such a scenario, he'd be an injury away from the team's top "big back" role. Also in the mix for touches behind Blount are Travaris Cadet, Brandon Bolden, James White and Tyler Gaffney.