The most relevant player for fantasy football purposes on the New England Patriots roster is Rhamondre Stevenson, but fantasy managers were left holding their breath after he was hurt late in their Week 5 contest with the Miami Dolphins.
Let’s examine Stevenson’s latest injury updates and consider whether fantasy managers should be worried about his availability going forward.
What Happened to Rhamondre Stevenson?
Stevenson stayed down at the end of a 10-yard run, during which he grabbed at his left leg while being taken to the turf. He left the game and was attended to by trainers on the sideline. However, he did not go into the medical tent and was on the sideline, walking with a slight limp.
#Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson was down on the field and grabbing his leg after this play.pic.twitter.com/ZA2CtG0TdD
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365)
Despite the injury, Stevenson returned to the game for a 3rd-and-8 play, which the team converted on a pass to DeMario Douglas. Stevenson did not carry the ball again after his return, as the Patriots were chasing a touchdown with under two minutes remaining.
It was an auspicious day for Stevenson, who was benched to start the game after fumbling in each of the first four games this season.
When Stevenson was asked after the game, he told reporters that he did not expect the leg issue to cause him to miss any time. “I just felt a helmet right into my leg, right into my calf, really is what it was. I just had to make sure I was good, and I was. I felt alright to get back out there.”
Antonio Gibson, who started in place of Stevenson, was the main back with him out. The only other back on their roster is JaMycal Hasty, who has just 106 career carries and 66 career targets. Therefore, the Patriots could potentially consider adding another option if Stevenson were to miss significant time. That does not appear to be the case, but their depth options are unconvincing, to say the least.
Despite being benched and an injury scare, Stevenson finished the game with 12 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for three yards.
Potential Fantasy Fallout From Stevenson’s Injury
If Stevenson were to miss time, this would be a major blow to the fantasy value of the Patriots’ offense, which is already fairly slim. We have seen Gibson have some success in the offense, but he is unlikely to be a direct replacement for Stevenson as a main RB option.
Despite not starting on Sunday against the Dolphins due to his fumbling issues, he ended up with the majority of the carries, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Gibson was ceremonially the starter, but Stevenson saw 16 touches compared to just seven for Gibson. That includes Gibson getting the work after Stevenson got hurt.
Gibson would be the RB to roster if Stevenson missed time. However, he would be unlikely to be a must-start RB option and would, at best, be a weekly flex option. We would also need to see what the Patriots did in terms of replacing Stevenson, but chances are, he will not miss enough time for them to make considerable moves.
Gibson would be an intriguing flex option for bye-week replacement purposes, but that is really the extent of his ceiling. Hasty is someone managers could look to add if Stevenson were to miss multiple weeks, but that seems unlikely right now.
