AP

Jeff Demps, the former Florida running back who left football to focus on track and field, then signed with the Patriots after last year’s Olympics, is returning to track.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Demps has informed the Patriots that he is choosing to run. But Demps is interested in trying to make it work as a two-sport athlete, so it’s not necessarily a sure thing that he’s finished with the NFL.

The problem from the Patriots’ perspective, however, is that the NFL is simply not a part-time job. It seems unlikely that the Patriots would be on board with Demps skipping organized team activities, minicamps or training camp practices while he pursues his goals in track.

Which means that Demps, who spent the 2012 season on injured reserve, may never play a regular-season game for the Patriots.