The Patriots don’t appear to have a place for veteran running back Kevin Faulk, but Faulk hasn’t given up hope of a return in 2012.
Faulk played just 88 snaps for the Patriots in the regular season last year and was inactive for the Super Bowl, two things which would appear to signal the end of the line for the 36-year-old. Faulk spoke to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald and reiterated that he will retire if the Patriots don’t bring him back, but he’s not ready to call it a career just yet.
“I hope so. I’m still praying, hoping,” Faulk said. “If it doesn’t happen, hey, I had a long run. God has blessed me with a long career as a running back, as a football player in general. But if it doesn’t happen, hey, I’m moving on.”
The Patriots currently have Joseph Addai, Stefan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead at tailback, a group that wouldn’t seem to leave room for Faulk. While his relationship with the team and Bill Belichick means you can’t rule out one last shot, it seems like Faulk will need an injury to one of those four players to open the door up for a return. That’s not impossible, obviously, but you don’t want to wager your kid’s college fund on it happening.