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          Patriots' linebacker-turned-fullback Elandon Roberts catches a 38-yard TD

          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterDec 29, 2019, 03:17 PM ET
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots linebacker Elandon Roberts' emerging role as a fullback on offense has been a hot-button topic in recent weeks, and it reached a new level Sunday when Roberts caught a 38-yard pass for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins.

          The play came with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter and with the Patriots in need of a spark.

          Roberts aligned offset to the right in the offensive backfield and released into a pass route to the right side -- the weak side of the formation. No Dolphins defender was close to him as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lofted a pass in his direction.

          It wasn't an easy catch as Roberts had to turn his body back to the line of scrimmage, catching the ball over his head at the 31-yard line, before breaking one tackle and running untouched down the right sideline for the score.

          The only other defensive player to catch a TD from Brady was Mike Vrabel (10 receiving touchdowns, including playoffs), according to ESPN Stats & Information data.

          Roberts is the 77th different player to catch a touchdown from Brady, extending Brady's NFL record (Vinny Testaverde, 70).