The New England Patriots are preparing for a fun Week 10 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they look to extend their winning streak. Rhamondre Stevenson is dealing with a toe injury that kept him out of last week’s game. Will fantasy football managers be without the Patriots RB another game?
Rhamondre Stevenson Injury Update
Stevenson missed the Patriots’ Week 9 game with a toe injury. The veteran running back had been healthy throughout the 2025 season before this issue surfaced unexpectedly.​
Wednesday brought more discouraging news, as Stevenson did not practice to open the week. Typically, players coming off missed games need to at least log a limited session on Wednesday to have any realistic chance of playing Sunday. Missing the first practice of the week following an absence is rarely a good sign.
Toe injuries are notoriously tricky, as we’ve witnessed with high-profile cases like Joe Burrow and Brock Purdy this season. Both players have dealt with prolonged absences from turf toe issues that have lingered far beyond initial projections. These injuries affect a player’s ability to push off and cut, making them particularly problematic for running backs who rely on explosive movements.
The vibes coming out of New England regarding Stevenson’s injury last week were decidedly negative. There were no encouraging updates from head coach Mike Vrabel or hints that Stevenson was progressing well. The organization’s silence and lack of optimism suggested this could be more than a two week absence.​
The timing of roster moves last week also painted a concerning picture. The Patriots signed Terrell Jennings to the active roster and showed interest in acquiring additional backfield depth. Teams don’t typically make aggressive moves unless they anticipate extended absences from key players.​
This sounds like it could be a lengthy absence rather than a brief setback. The combination of Stevenson’s Wednesday DNP, the nature of toe injuries, and last week’s concerning signals all point toward an extended timeline.
Fantasy managers should expect Stevenson to log three consecutive DNPs this week and not play Sunday. Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround Thursday that catches everyone by surprise, Stevenson appears headed for a second straight missed game with no clear return date on the horizon.
Stevenson’s Fantasy Outlook
With Stevenson sidelined last week, TreVeyon Henderson operated as the clear lead back for New England. The rookie handled the majority of early-down work and saw significantly increased volume compared to his usual role.​
However, Jennings was plenty involved as well and served as the goal line back, vulturing potential touchdown opportunities from Henderson. Vrabel showed confidence in Jennings near the end zone, giving him the carries in short-yardage situations where Stevenson would normally operate.​
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Expect the backfield to look similar this week if Stevenson remains out. Henderson will handle the bulk of the carries and serve as the primary back on early downs, while Jennings continues working as the goal line specialist and change-of-pace option.
Jennings profiles as a desperation touchdown-or-bust RB3 for fantasy purposes. His value is entirely tied to whether he finds the end zone, as his limited volume outside the red zone prevents him from offering any kind of floor. He’s a dart throw for managers desperate for running back help.
Henderson represents a volume-based flex play in what could turn into a high-scoring contest. He won’t provide the touchdown upside that Stevenson typically offers, but the carries should be there to give him a reasonable floor. His explosiveness also provides some big-play potential that could boost his fantasy output.
The matchup and game script could work in Henderson’s favor, but the touchdown vulturing from Jennings significantly caps his ceiling. Fantasy managers starting Henderson should do so with tempered expectations and the understanding that his scoring opportunities may be limited even if he sees 15-plus carries.
Until Stevenson shows up on the practice field in some capacity, fantasy managers should operate under the assumption that he’ll remain out and that New England’s backfield will continue functioning as a committee led by Henderson with Jennings handling goal-line work.
