Belichick: Dion Lewis 'probably not' ready to start practicing

It will likely be at least another week before the New England Patriots get running back Dion Lewis back on the practice field.

Asked Tuesday if Lewis, who is on the PUP list after undergoing a second surgical procedure this summer on the knee he injured last season, will return to practice this week, head coach Bill Belichick was uncharacteristically upfront.

"Probably not," Belichick told reporters.

This is the first week Lewis is eligible to return to practice. Once the shifty tailback does resume practicing, the Patriots will have 21 days to decide to add him to the 53-man roster or shut him down for the year.

The nature of the setback Lewis had in his knee remains unclear. It's not believed to be to his ACL, but rather a different part of his knee.

Considering the success the Patriots have had with LeGarrette Blount and James White in the backfield this season, the team has no reason to rush Lewis back onto the field.

Guard Tre' Jackson, who is also on the PUP list, is similarly unlikely to resume practicing this week, Belichick noted.