An absorbent paper sheet for tissue or towel includes from about 99 percent to about 70 percent by weight of cellulosic papermaking fiber and from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber which was regenerated form a cellulosic dope utilizing a tertiary amine N-oxide solvent or an ionic liquid. Fibrillation of the microfiber is controlled such that it has a reduced coarseness and a reduced freeness as compared with unfibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber from which it is made and provides at least one of the following attributes to the absorbent sheet: (a) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated SAT value and an elevated wet tensile value as compared with a like sheet prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; (b) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated wet/dry CD tensile ratio as compared with a like sheet prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; (c) the absorbent sheet exhibits a lower GM Break Modulus than a like sheet having like tensile values prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; or (d) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated bulk as compared with a like sheet having like tensile values prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber. In some embodiments, the pulp is pre-treated with debonder to enhance the wet/dry CD tensile ratio of the sheet.