Woodhead finished the 2012 season with 76 carries for 301 yards with four touchdowns along with 40 catches for 446 yards and three receiving TDs.

Analysis: Woodhead is slated to become a free agent this offseason, but he's been a great fit in the Patriots' offense, essentially taking over the team's change-of-pace duties from Kevin Faulk. If he returns to New England, he may lose some touches to Shane Vereen in 2013, but if he does, then the team would boast one of the more balanced young backfields in the league.

Woodhead (thumb) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Analysis: Though Woodhead is out there for Sunday's AFC Championship Game, he figures to lose some of his change-of-pace touches to Shane Vereen, who had a big game against the Texans last Sunday.

Woodhead (thumb) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Woodhead should be fine for Sunday's game against the Ravens, though he figures to lose some of his change-of-pace touches to Shane Vereen, who had a breakout game against the Texans last weekend.

Woodhead was upgraded from limited to full participation at practice Thursday, the Boston Herald reports.

Analysis: All signs point to Woodhead being available for Sunday's game against the Ravens, though it's not hard to imagine him losing change-of-pace touches to Shane Vereen, who enjoyed a breakout game last weekend.

Woodhead (thumb) was limited at practice Wednesday, the Boston Globe reports.

Analysis: It appears as though Woodhead is on track to play Sunday against the Ravens, but Shane Vereen's strong effort this past weekend in a change-of-pace role has likely earned him added touches going forward, at Woodhead's expense.

Coach Bill Belichick suggested Monday that Woodhead, who injured his thumb on the first play of Sunday's win over the Texans, could have returned to the contest, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports. "Danny was examined and back on the sideline for the remainder of the game. Had we needed to use him, he would have been available to go back in there. Now that we are into a new week, we will re-address the whole situation and try to get a good feel of what he would and wouldn't be available to do, and how functional he would be doing it. So I would say that's something we'll have to look at during the week. Assuming the doctors clear him to play, which is a medical decision, then the next situation would be from a football decision, what can he do and how well can he do it? What is he, and we, comfortable with him doing in this week's game/game plan. That would all be determined at a later point in time."

Analysis: Belichick doesn't usually say much about his player's injuries, so coming from him, that's quite an elaborate assessment. Of course, we suppose that there's an advantage to forcing the Ravens to game plan for both Woodhead and Shane Vereen this week, though we'd expect that Vereen's strong effort Sunday in a change-of-pace role will earn him added touches going forward, regardless of Woodhead's status.

Danny Woodhead: (Thumb) Should Be Able To Play Sunday

Woodhead (thumb) should be able to play in Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Ravens, NESN.com reports.

Analysis: Though Shane Vereen filled in nicely for Woodhead after he was injured early in Sunday's game, the Patriots would no doubt love to have as many weapons on hand as possible this coming weekend in the wake of the loss of TE Rob Gronkowski for the rest of the playoffs. Look for Woodhead to either miss practice or be listed as limited in the coming days.

Woodhead suffered a left thumb injury in Sunday's game against the Texans.

Analysis: Woodhead is questionable to return to the game. If he is unable to return, then Shane Vereen could be in line for some extra touches Sunday.

Woodhead ran three times for 18 yards and caught five passes for 79 yards in Sunday's win over the Dolphins.

Analysis: Stevan Ridley will do the heavy lifting for the Patriots in the postseason, but Woodhead could end up being a nice late grab for those inclined to back the team in playoff pools.

Woodhead carried the ball three times for seven yards and caught two passes for 38 yards with a 14-yard touchdown in Sunday's win over the Jaguars.

Analysis: The touchdown saved the day for those who rolled with Woodhead, after his strong effort in Week 15, but overall he returned to his normal change-of-pace duties, while Stevan Ridley carried the ball 18 times for 84 yards.

Woodhead carried 12 times for 61 yards with two touchdown and added five catches for 23 yards in Sunday night's 41-34 loss to the 49ers.

Analysis: Woodhead saw added opportunities Sunday after fellow running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen both fumbled in the game. While he helped spark the Patriots' offense this weekend, Woodhead figures to return to his change-of-pace role in Week 16 against the Jaguars, a gig that has provided him with sporadic touches this season.

Woodhead was on the field for 16-of-73 snaps on offense in Monday's win over the Texans, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Analysis: Woodhead had just one carry for four yards and two catches for 34 yards Monday, while fumbling once, which resulted in a fluke Brandon Lloyd TD. In his complementary role, Woodhead snags the occasional TD, but his touches are too sporadic these days for him to be a high-percentage fantasy play.

Woodhead was on the field for just 11-of-61 snaps on offense in Sunday's win over the Colts, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Chalk this one up to game planning, but since the Patriots cleverly elect to not share such details with the media in advance, his week-to-week usage is difficult to predict. With TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm) out indefinitely, perhaps the Patriots will dust off Woodhead as soon as Thursday against (his former team) the Jets, as they will have to look at using some different tactics in Week 12, especially if TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) remains out or limited.

Woodhead did not have a catch or a carry in Sunday's 59-24 win over the Colts.

Analysis: With no injury reported here so far, chalk this one up to game-planning, on the heels of Woodhead's two-TD outburst in Week 10.

Woodhead carried the ball once for a 15-yard TD and caught four passes for 46 yards with another score in Sunday's 37-31 win over the Bills.

Analysis: Woodhead continues to do most of his damage as a pass-catcher, but while he obviously helped his owners out this week with the two TDs, it's an outcome that can't be counted on a regular basis going forward.

Bolden suspended

New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden has been suspended four games without pay for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, a league spokesperson announced Friday. FULL REPORT

Analysis: Stevan Ridley will continue to carry a heavy load, but look for Danny Woodhead to be next in line for touches in Bolden's absence.

Woodhead carried the ball six times for 17 yards and caught four passes for 29 yards in Sunday's 29-26 overtime win over the Jets.

Analysis: Woodhead continues to work in a change-of-pace role for the Patriots, which limits his weekly reliability, given the sporadic nature of his carries.

Woodhead carried the ball four times for 25 yards and caught five passes for 46 yards in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.

Analysis: A solid effort from Woodhead in his change-of-pace role, but his carries are too sporadic for him to be a reliable option in non-PPR formats.

Woodhead carried the ball seven times for 47 yards and caught one pass for 25 yards in Sunday's win over the Broncos.

Analysis: A nice effort for Woodhead in his change-of-pace role Sunday, but the going could be tougher next week against the stingy Seahawks' run defense.

Woodhead did not record a carry, but caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Bills.

Analysis: Woodhead goes from 15 carries to none in the span of a week, as a result of the Patriots' game-planning, more than anything else. He'll continue to work in a change-of-pace role going forward, but his weekly workload is going to be tough to predict going forward.

Woodhead carried 15 times for 34 yards with a touchdown and caught one pass for nine yards in Sunday's loss to the Ravens.

Analysis: Woodhead combined for 14 carries over the Patriots' first two games, but he was game-planned in more on Sunday. Given his 2.3 yards per carry in the contest though, we'd expect Stevan Ridley (13 carries for 37 yards Sunday) to resume the heavy lifting in Week 4.

Woodhead carried eight times for 18 yards and caught one pass for 12 yards in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.

Analysis: Woodhead had a TD called back by a holding penalty, but in general, his fantasy value is spotty as long as he is relegated to a change-of-pace role behind Stevan Ridley.

Woodhead carried the ball six times for 20 yards in Sunday's win over the Titans.

Analysis: Woodhead will continue to work in a change-of-pace role going forward behind Stevan Ridley who was impressive in Week 1, running for 125 yards on 21 carries.

Woodhead carried three times for 11 yards and caught one pass for nine yards in Friday's preseason game against the Bucs.

Analysis: Woodhead is locked in as New England's primary change-of-pace back, and while he's good for the occasional explosive play, he's tough to rely on on a weekly basis, given his (at times) sporadic touches.

Woodhead carried once for three yards and caught three passes for 26 yards in Thursday's preseason opener against the Saints.

Analysis: He will continue to handle the Patriots' change-of-pace duties, but with Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and even Brandon Bolden in the mix to a lesser degree, Woodhead's carries figure to be sporadic, so he'll need to do most of his damage catching passes out of the backfield.

Woodhead carried seven times for 18 yards and caught four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's Super Bowl loss to the Giants.

Analysis: Woodhead has replaced Kevin Faulk (a healthy scratch Sunday) as the Patriots' change-of-pace back, a job that he handles capably. He'll be back with the team in 2012, though with BenJarvus Green-Ellis headed for free agency, there's a decent chance Woodhead will be working behind Stevan Ridley and perhaps Shane Vereen next season.

Woodhead carried once for five yards and caught two passes for 10 yards in Sunday's 49-21 win over the Bills.

Analysis: Heading into the playoffs, Woodhead will continue to handle the Patriots' change-of-pace duties, but the team's backfield-by-committee approach limits his value in playoff pools to a late dart for those backing the Patriots.

Woodhead carried four times for 20 yards in Saturday's win over the Dolphins.

Analysis: Woodhead continues to handle the Patriots' change-of-pace duties, but the team's backfield-by-committee approach limits his fantasy reliability.

Woodhead (abdomen) is not on the Patriots' injury report for Saturday's game against the Dolphins, the team's official site reports.

Analysis: One player was listed as doubtful and 15 as questionable this week, so Woodhead's absence from the Patriots' injury report suggests that there will be nothing to limit his ability to handle his usual change-of-pace duties Saturday.

Woodhead (abdomen) was limited at practice Wednesday, the Patriots' official site reports.

Analysis: Woodhead has been a regular on the Pats' injury report of late, but he continues to play through his abdomen issue. We don't expect that to change Saturday against the Dolphins.

Woodhead carried seven times for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Broncos. He also caught one pass for 12 yards.

Analysis: The TD was the first of the season for Woodhead, who continues to work in a change-of-pace role for the Patriots behind the bruising BenJarvus Green-Ellis and rookie Stevan Ridley, on Sunday at least.

Woodhead (abdomen) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Analysis: Woodhead is out there if you need him, but his fantasy utility is limited as long as BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the lead guy in the Patriots' backfield committee.

Woodhead (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos, the Boston Herald reports.

Analysis: Woodhead should be fine this week, but since the Patriots insist on listing him as questionable, his Week 15 status is still worth double-checking Sunday if his change-of-pace skills earn him fantasy lineup consideration in your league.

Woodhead (abdomen) was limited at practice Wednesday, the Boston Globe reports.

Analysis: Woodhead remains a useful change-of-pace option for the Patriots, but his numbers are down from last season (4.4 yards per carry vs. 5.6 last year, as well as a drop from 11.1 yards per catch to 9.0) and he has yet to find the end zone to date.

Woodhead (abdomen) carried eight times for 41 yards and caught one pass for four yards in Sunday's 34-27 win over the Redskins.

Analysis: Meanwhile, the more methodical BenJarvus Green-Ellis only carried five times, but that was mostly a flow-of-the game deal in Sunday's shootout.

Woodhead (abdomen) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Redskins.

Analysis: Woodhead is available if you need him, but his fantasy reliability is limited as long as BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the lead guy in the Patriots' backfield committee.

Woodhead (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Redskins, the Patriots' official site reports.

Analysis: Look for Woodhead to suit up Sunday, but anyone in need of his change-of-pace skills this week will be able to verify his status prior to the first wave of kickoffs Sunday, with the Patriots kicking off at 1:00 ET.

Woodhead (abdomen) was limited at practice Wednesday, the Boston Globe reports.

Analysis: Of the 12 Patriots listed as limited Wednesday, Woodhead seems among the more likely to be good to go Sunday against the Redskins.

Woodhead (abdomen) carried four times for 12 yards in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Colts.

Analysis: Woodhead was a bit banged up heading into this one, but he was able to play, though his participation resulted in minimal Week 13 production.

Woodhead (abdomen) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Analysis: He's out there if you need him, but his fantasy reliability is limited as long as BenJarvus Green-Ellis continues to do the heavy lifting in the Patriots' backfield.

Woodhead (questionable, abdomen) is looking like a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Colts, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Analysis: The report notes that Woodhead is on the field prior to Sunday's game, being watched closely by the Patriots' strength coaches. More on Woodhead's status closer to kickoff.

Woodhead (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, the Patriots' official site reports.

Analysis: We'd expect Woodhead to suit up Sunday, but fortunately anyone in need of his change-of-pace stats this weekend will be able to verify his status prior to the first wave of kickoffs Sunday, given the Patriots' 1:00 ET start.

Woodhead (abdomen) was limited at practice Thursday, the Patriots' official site reports.

Analysis: Woodhead is a new addition to a Patriots' injury report that listed 15 players as limited Thursday. We'll revisit his status Friday, but so far there's no buzz about him missing Sunday's game against the Colts.

Woodhead had four carries for 20 yards in Sunday's win over the Eagles.

Analysis: Woodhead does the job as a change-of-pace back, but as long as he defers to BenJarvus Green-Ellis, he's hard to rely on from a fantasy standpoint.

Woodhead carried five times for 27 yards and added two catches for 28 yards Monday against the Chiefs.

Analysis: Woodhead was back to his change-of-pace ways Monday, with BenJarvus Green-Ellis doing the heavy lifting. Woodhead will get you some points every week in his "Kevin Faulk, The Next Generation" role, but huge fantasy outputs will be rare.

Woodhead led the Patriots with 38 rushing yards in Sunday night's game against the Jets. He also added one catch for six yards.

Analysis: The production out of New England's backfield has been limited all year as Bill Belichick has rolled with a committee approach that consists of as many as four guys at present. Woodhead gets a lot of snaps out of the hurry-up and shotgun formations, but he doesn't get a significant enough workload to warrant use in fantasy leagues.