Following in the footsteps of Nate Solder, Dion Lewis, Ryan Wendell and Dominique Easley, New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount's 2015 NFL season will come to a premature end as both Mike Petraglia of WEEI and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Tuesday that a hip injury will send Blount to injured reserve.

Blount, the lead dog in the Pats backfield, was expected to - and for a few weeks did - take on an even larger role after Lewis, who excelled in a hybrid receiver/running back role, mostly as a pass-catcher and moveable weapon for quarterback Tom Brady, tore his ACL.

But Blount was struggling with a hip injury and had been spotted by reporters earlier in the day on Tuesday hobbling around on crutches. His season is now apparently over, after 165 carries, 703 yards and six touchdowns.

For the Pats, who already have an AFC playoff spot locked up, the injuries continue to mount. Brady has struggled to create offense on his own the past couple of weeks throwing passes to the likes of Keshawn Martin and the recently signed Damaris Johnson.

The Pats did sign former Denver Broncos starting running back Montee Ball to their practice squad on Tuesday, so it's possible he'll be quickly elevated to the active roster. But from here on out, barring a major signing, it looks like Brady and head coach Bill Belichick will have to make due with some rotation of James White and Brandon Bolden.

Bolden looked good carrying the load this past week against the Houston Texans, toting the ball 16 times for 53 yards. And White has the pass-catching ability that Brady and Belichick like to see in their backs.

Perhaps together the pair will create a competent backfield for New England. If not - and really, even if they do - this once-promising Patriots season may quickly be derailed in the postseason by injuries.

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