The New England Patriots have dealt with their fair share of controversies this summer. But with a blockbuster addition in the form of A.J. Brown, the focus is now squarely on building upon last year’s transformational campaign.
Going 14-3, alongside a trip to the Super Bowl, the first year of the Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye pairing was about as good as anyone could have anticipated. But heading into 2026, the team faces a major hurdle in the form of an injury to TreVeyon Henderson.
What Is TreVeyon Henderson’s Injury?
A second-round pick for the Patriots last season, Henderson split a lot of snaps with Rhamondre Stevenson. Starting just 4 games, the team must have been hoping that his role could expand in his second season.
But the offseason has brought some other problems for the youngster. Earlier in the week, he slipped on the turf while making a cut, leaving the entire organization with bated breath. He left practice and underwent further testing.
The Boston Globe’s Christopher Price confirmed that the Ohio State product was dealing with a lower ankle injury that sidelined him for Tuesday’s practice.
When Will Henderson Return?
Last year, Henderson tallied 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns despite starting just four games for the Patriots, ranking at number 11 on PFN’s Running Back Impact Metrics. During the playoffs, though, his numbers took a noticeable dip as well.
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Over 4 postseason games, Henderson totaled just 76 rushing yards on 30 carries. Add in the criticisms against him was his subpar work as a blocker in the backfield, and he has a lot of room to grow further.
Thankfully, fans can see how much he’s improved over the course of the offseason when the Patriots kick off their season in a Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks.
Price also confirmed that Henderson should be good to go by the time the first week of the season rolls around.
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Last time around, Henderson managed just 19 yards on 6 carries against the Seahawks. However, he was a force through the air, tallying 26 yards on 3 catches, albeit in a one-sided 29-13 blowout.
This time around, with additional weapons on offense, the Patriots will be hoping to take another step forward. And the first week of the season, especially given their opponent, will be the perfect place to set an early tone.
But to make it a success, they are going to need to put their best foot forward, with an active Henderson potentially serving as a major part of the game plan.
