Rhamondre Stevenson has been serving as the starting running back for the New England Patriots during the 2025 NFL season. The team will need to make alternative plans for the Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The veteran has already been ruled out with a toe injury after being unable to log any practice activity. Their other options will have to step up in his absence, which could potentially extend beyond this week.
Rhamondre Stevenson injury update and potential timeline for return
Stevenson has started all eight game for the Patriots this year and has been a key contributor to them being on an active five-game winning streak. They will have to manage without him in Week 9 against the Falcons after a toe injury kept him a non-participant in all three of their practices leading up to the game.
The injury comes as a bit of a surprise as the veteran has been healthy this year and completed their most recent game against the Cleveland Browns last week. He has played in 62% of the snaps this season with 448 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns. This has been good enough for him to be ranked as the 43rd overall running back on PFSN’s Impact Rankings.
It’s unclear how long the veteran will be sidelined with his toe injury, but at least for now, he has not been placed on the injured reserve list. This suggests that it could be a short-term absence, though the Patriots declined to give a clear update on his potential timeline for a return.
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson was announced as the starting running back for Week 9 with Stevenson unavailable. He will be backed up by Terrell Jennings and D’Ernest Johnson, who they recently elevated from the practice squad after signing him away from the Arizona Cardinals this week.
According to head coach Mike Vrabel, Stevenson’s pass protection may be what they miss most about him this week. He has done a stellar job in helping to protect second-year breakout quarterback Drake Maye. He strength as a blocker may also contribute to his snap percentage, despite the Patriots using a premium draft pick to select Henderson this year.
The rookie will finally get his opportunity to prove his value in their backfield as he’s projected to receive as much of a workload as he can handle, considering their lack of depth at the position. He has totaled 69 touches for 327 scrimmage yards so far, but could earn a larger role for the second half of the season with a strong performance this week in Stevenson’s absence.
