LeGarrette Blount out for the season

The New England Patriots running back is set to miss the remainder of the season because of a left hip injury.

Blount suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against the Houston Texas and becomes New England’s latest main player to see his season end due to injury. The 29-year-old has rushed for a team-leading 703 yards and six touchdowns this season and was a vital member of the team during its Super Bowl run last season, which included a great display in the AFC Championship Game, in which he ran for 148 yards and three touchdowns.

Now, the Patriots can rely only on the services of four-year veteran Brandon Bolden and second-year rusher James White at the running back position.

Due to Blount’s injury, the Patriots rushed to sign third-year player Montee Ball, a 2013 second round draft choice of the Denver Broncos.

New England also has undrafted rookie running back Trey Williams on the practice squad. Rookie Alonzo Harris was worked out by the Patriots recently after he was cut earlier this month by the Green Bay Packers.

Bolden, meanwhile, entered the NFL with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent back in 2012 and primarily featured on special teams. He replaced Blount on Sunday night and finished the game with 16 carries for 51 yards.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Blount is known as a decent passing back and has 16 carries for 41 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games this season, along with 26 catches for 248 yards and two touchdowns.

At 11-2, the Patriots boast the best record in the AFC and have already sealed a postseason berth. However, they now must carry on without starting left tackle Nate Solder and running back Dion Lewis for the remainder of the season. The Patriots have played the last four games without star receiver Julian Edelman, who is out indefinitely with a broken foot.

Osweiller to remain a starter

Meanwhile, after consulting with the team’s medical staff and holding discussions with Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiller, Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak is set to keep the latter in the starting lineup this week as Manning makes a return to the practice field this Wednesday.

Osweiller is now set to make his fifth consecutive start this season. The Broncos are 3-1 in his previous four starts, with the only defeat coming this Sunday in a 15-12 loss to the Oakland Raiders in a game that was a closely contested affair that the Broncos, had they been more consistent in terms of their offense, would have won. Osweiler was sacked five times in the game and failed to throw a single touchdown pass. However, he still managed to register his first career 300-yard passing game, finishing with 308.

Manning has not participated in a full team practice since November 13 after suffering a tear in the plantar fascia near his left heel during the team’s loss in Indianapolis. He was removed in the third quarter of the defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs and has not practiced or played since.