Lewis back up to full speed after knee issues

FOXBOROUGH — Dion Lewis has heard some of the talk.

About how he’s not the same running back after the knee injury. Or that the Patriots now have too many backs, and somebody (possibly him) has to go. And that, based on last year, Lewis isn’t that difference-maker anymore.

Lewis has something to say on the matter.

“I know I’m capable of being a way different player than I was last year,” Lewis said after Friday’s practice. “Hopefully I’m just able to build every day here in camp.

“And then I’ll show some people some stuff,” he added with a big smile.

When Lewis debuted with the Patriots in 2015, after not seeing the field for the Browns or Colts for two seasons, he immediately injected dynamic playmaking ability at the running back position with his explosive speed and jitterbug jump cuts. In seven games (six starts), he averaged 4.8 yards per rushing attempt, 10.8 yards on 36 receptions and had four touchdowns.

But an ACL tear in his left knee ended his season in early November. Lewis would need another procedure in 2016, and it took until Nov. 12 for him to be activated to the roster. He wasn’t 100 percent, and it showed as his statistics (4.4 yards per carry, 5.5 yards per reception) slumped.

“I was just happy to be out there last year,” said Lewis. “Coming back from a long rehab process, I was just happy to help my teammates.”

Still, there were still flashes of the old Lewis, specifically in the divisional playoff win over the Texans. Lewis became the first player in NFL postseason history to have a running touchdown, a receiving touchdown and return a kickoff for a touchdown in a single game.

But the Super Bowl against the Falcons, Lewis carried just six times and caught one pass as backfield mate James White exploded with 14 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown.

“He’s a great player,” Lewis said of watching White’s heroics. “He goes really hard and is a great teammate. We’re a close group. Whenever we see one of our guys do a great job, we know how hard we work. I was just happy to see him come up big in the biggest moment.”

The fact remains that the Patriots are 17-0 in games when Lewis is in the lineup. “It’s coincidence,” said Lewis, who deflected the praise onto his teammates and coaches.

Running backs coach Ivan Fears recently put Lewis’ ’16 season into perspective.

“Anybody coming off major injury — and we have to remember, (Lewis) had a major injury — and he had a little corrective surgery later before the season started — that’s not easy,” Fears said. “I thought he did a great job getting back. He really did. I was really happy to see him back out there and he helped us tremendously.

“I expect that he’s feeling a hell of a lot better than when he showed up late in the season last year.”

Lewis confirmed as much.

“I feel good, I’m strong,” said Lewis, who stayed local for his offseason workouts. “I’ve got my strength back up, my weight’s back up.

“Just going through OTAs and minicamps, each week I started feeling more and more like I usually should feel, going back to a couple years ago. Every day I’m trying to get stronger, take care of my body and if I do that, I should be OK.”

Lewis is confident of his staying power in a crowded backfield that not only features White on a new contract extension, but free agents Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead, who have already shown promise the passing game.

“It’s all good,” said Lewis, who is entering the final year of his contract. “It’s great competition. Competition like that makes you play better, so you have to be willing to compete. I’m a competitor, so I embrace it.”

---

Like what you're seeing at BSJ? Free preview ends Monday. Subscribe today to make sure you don't miss out!