The Patriots have typically approached the running back position with multiple players rotating in the backfield based on specific roles.
For example, Damien Harris led the Pats running backs in snaps last season with 424 total plays. Of those offensive snaps, 59 percent were runs, and 50 percent of the team's passing plays with Harris on the field were play-action attempts. Harris only played 25 total snaps on third down, where former Patriot running back Brandon Bolden took over as the primary pass-catching back (144 third-down snaps).
This season, the situational trends at running back could change.