The New England Patriots are preparing for a crucial Week 9 matchup as they look to extend their winning streak. Rhamondre Stevenson is dealing with an injury that kept him out of Wednesday’s practice. Will fantasy football managers have the Patriots running back available for this week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons?
Rhamondre Stevenson Injury Update
Stevenson was not seen at Wednesday’s practice, which comes as a surprise given that he has been healthy throughout the entire 2025 season. Stevenson also missed Thursday’s practice session, marking a second consecutive absence that creates significant concern about his availability.
The veteran running back has been operating as the clear feature back since Antonio Gibson’s season-ending ACL injury, regularly playing over 70% of the snaps.​
The timing of his absence is particularly notable given that the New England Patriots signed Terrell Jennings to the active roster on Wednesday. This move is likely not a coincidence, as teams typically add depth when dealing with injury concerns at a position.​
The Patriots’ aggressive roster moves this week paint a concerning picture for Stevenson’s status. Combined with reports that the Patriots are looking for a running back via trade and the poaching of D’Ernest Johnson from the Cardinals’ practice squad, all signs point to a more serious problem than initially expected.​
According to Patriots on SI, head coach Mike Vrabel had been praising Jennings throughout the week, saying ‘We all want Terrell here’ and indicating the signing was ‘probably procedural’. Jennings has been elevated from the practice squad three times this season and has rushed seven times for 33 yards in limited action.​
At this point, fantasy managers should expect Stevenson to miss this week’s game against Atlanta. The combination of two consecutive missed practices and the team’s frantic roster activity suggests this injury is more significant than a typical maintenance day.​
The specific details of Stevenson’s injury will become clearer when more information surfaces, but the Patriots’ actions speak louder than any official injury designation.
Stevenson’s Fantasy Outlook
If Stevenson is unable to play, conventional wisdom suggests this would be the opportunity TreVeyon Henderson has been waiting for. The rookie has been more explosive than Stevenson this season, averaging 4.3 yards per carry compared to Stevenson’s 3.4 yards per attempt.​
Henderson had his best performance of the season in Week 8 against Cleveland, rushing for 75 yards on 10 carries while Stevenson managed just 34 yards on 14 attempts. The rookie has out-gained Stevenson in six of the team’s last eight games despite receiving fewer carries.​
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A matchup against Atlanta would be ideal for Henderson if he gets the opportunity. The Falcons have struggled against the run this season and operate as more of a run funnel defense, making them vulnerable to ground attacks.
However, fantasy managers shouldn’t automatically assume Henderson would be the primary beneficiary of Stevenson’s absence. Vrabel might lean on the newly signed Jennings more than expected, especially given his strange usage of Henderson this season.
Jennings has been called the team’s “five-minute back” by Vrabel, suggesting he’s viewed as a reliable option in certain situations. His promotion to the active roster indicates the coaching staff has confidence in his ability to contribute if needed.
Fantasy managers should monitor Friday’s practice closely to determine Stevenson’s status and potential workload distribution if he remains sidelined.
