Rhamondre

Stevenson

Stevenson qualified as a rare bright spot as one of only two Pats to find the end zone in a 29-13 defeat. Given a new backfield running mate in No. 38 overall back TreVeyon Henderson, Stevenson finished the year as the Pats’ second leading rusher. That, of course, doesn’t tell the full story, as Stevenson survived an early season deluge of fumbles to end up the most trusted back for the stretch run, including the playoffs, where he out-touched Henderson 68-35. Curious, but the Pats’ sharp coaching staff preferred Stevenson’s tough running to Hendo’s home run ability, while the veteran was a (far) superior pass blocker. Stunningly, Stevenson actually led the league in average rush yards over expected. Turning 28 later this month, Stevenson has one season left of guaranteed money. He’s guaranteed to remain a thorn in the side of Henderson partisans, but it stands to reason Hendo will get a longer 2026 runway than he did as a rookie. Stevenson is best treated as a lower-ceiling RB3 in offseason best ball drafts.

Facing a stout defense and snowy conditions, the Patriots leaned heavily on Stevenson all afternoon. The fifth-year vet did what he could, but outside of a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter, the Broncos kept Stevenson bottled up on the day. Stevenson’s 25 carries led the Patriots’ backfield by a wide margin, as rookie TreVeyon Henderson was limited to just three carries on the day, and did not see a target. Stevenson should again be leaned on heavily in a few weeks with the Patriots one game away from another Super Bowl title, and will hopefully face better conditions in San Francisco.

Stevenson’s 20 touches came despite what seemed to be a fairly significant eye injury. Stevenson looked like he was having an extremely difficult time getting comfortable, but he returned to help close out a wild, turnover-marred affair. Once again the Pats’ unquestioned lead back, Stevenson has an AFC Championship Game matchup with an elite Broncos run defense. Perhaps that will have the Pats looking to get TreVeyon Henderson more involved on the perimeter/in space than he has been the past few weeks.

Stevenson played very well against the Chargers. The veteran running back picked up two big receiving gains by running delayed routes out of the backfield, including a blitz-beating 48-yard catch-and-run that helped set up a field goal on his team’s third drive. Stevenson also ripped off a 13-yard gain on the ground, running through an arm tackle at the line of scrimmage before barreling into two defenders beyond the first-down marker. The play helped set up TE Hunter Henry’s 28-yard touchdown. The Patriots face the winner of Monday’s game between the Texans and Steelers. Stevenson should get a reliable workload against either team, though the Texans’ elite defense makes for a tougher matchup.

We should all be so efficient as to generate 153 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on nine touches. Although this was by far his best game of the regular season, Stevenson did get out-touched 13-9 by TreVeyon Henderson. Not that he or coach Mike Vrabel are complaining. Highly explosive since returning from his ankle injury in Week 12, Stevenson is looking like a much more formidable backfield mate for rookie Henderson than he was the first two months of the year. The duo has the potential to be A Problem during the playoffs. The second-seeded Pats’ Super Bowl chase begins in the Wild Card Round against the Chargers in New England.

Stevenson got home early with a goal line plunge in the first quarter. He then got wide open on a wheel route in the second quarter for a 22-yard touchdown. The Patriots would go on to blow out the Jets for the remainder of the game and Stevenson gave way to TreVeyon Henderson in the second half. Henderson ran the ball six times after the break. Stevenson didn’t see one carry, though he did log an extra two receptions. Fantasy managers who were bold enough to start Stevenson in the championship round can’t complain about the second-half usage. Stevenson will remain in the RB3 mix when the Pats take on the Dolphins.

It’s the clearest signal we’ve had this week that Henderson will have a chance to clear concussion protocol before Week 17’s game against the Jets. The rookie running back was limited in both Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, but could be trending toward a return before the weekend. The Patriots should release their final injury report in the next couple of hours, so Henderson’s name will be one to watch when that is announced. If he is unable to go, Rhamondre Stevenson would be in line for a big workload against one of the league’s worst run defenses.

It’s an estimate because of the holiday. Henderson participated in warmups Wednesday in the open part of practice, and if he can clear the protocol, he’ll be the top offensive option that could be down several receivers in Week 17 against the Jets. Rhamondre Stevenson would be the bellcow if Henderson misses the contest.

Henderson participated in warmups with the team during the portion of practice open to the media. We do not know whether Henderson did much in practice beyond that. Players often miss at least one game after suffering brain injuries, so his early-week participation is an encouraging sign for his Week 17 availability. Patriots veteran RB Rhamondre Stevenson should be rostered at this time, just in case Stevenson is unable to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Henderson suffered the head injury in the first half on Sunday night against the Ravens and did not return to the game. He could very well miss Week 17 against a miserable Jets defense that has been more than generous to opposing backs in recent weeks. Rhamondre Stevenson, who had eight carries for 51 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore in Week 16, would profile as a must-play option in 12-team formats if Henderson is sidelined. Both backs are in play for Week 17 if Henderson clears the protocol and suits up against the Jets.