It's been a roller coaster year for New England Patriots running back Jonas Gray. In a season that's seen him go from the No. 1 back one game to being listed as inactive the next, Gray just wants to help his team get back to the Super Bowl. He's hoping he'll get his chance Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship, according to WEEI.
Jonas Gray hopeful for carries in AFC Championship
The Patriots’ running back hopes to get carries against the Colts with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
“It would mean a lot, man,” Gray said. “Honestly, it would mean a lot. I am excited and I hopefully I will have an opportunity. I am just waiting and see what happens.”
Gray had a breakout performance against Indianapolis the first time these two teams met in Week 11. He pounded the Colts 37 times for 201 yards and a franchise-record four touchdowns in the Patriots’ dominating 42-20 win. However, after showing up late to practice, he was inactive the following week and only carried the ball 20 times for 80 yards the rest of the season.
He was also inactive last week against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round, with the Patriots riding a pass-heavy game plan that saw Tom Brady attempt 50 passes while the team ran the ball just 13 times for 14 total yards. But Gray wasn't sulking, and he trusts head coach Bill Belichick's decision to not play him.
“I’m not really sure,” said Gray. “I am not really sure why I was inactive. I pretty much go along with whatever Bill [Belichick] wants me to do. Whatever he thinks is best for the team he is going to do. We all believe in his approach and it’s worked.”
This Sunday, Gray would be happy to just get some carries against the Colts with a berth in the Super Bowl on the line. The journeyman from Notre Dame entered the year having never played a down of regular-season football, but he got his chance after a season-ending ACL tear to Steven Ridley left the Patriots with only third-down specialist Shane Vereen as the only proven back going into Week 11.
New England signed LeGarrette Blount the week after the Pittsburgh Steelers cut him. Blount has since become the No. 1 back with Vereen being the No. 2. Gray has played in eight games this year while carrying the ball 89 times for 412 yards and five touchdowns.
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