Each NFL preseason, a few breakout players catch the eye of coaches, analysts, and fans around the league. This year, one of those players is New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who was selected with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 draft.
Henderson has excelled this preseason as both a running back and a kick returner. With little left to prove, the question now is whether the Patriots will even play him in their final preseason game.
Will TreVeyon Henderson Suit Up for Final Preseason Game?
Based on recent reports, it appears unlikely Henderson will play much, if at all, on Thursday. He logged only nine snaps in the second preseason game, and head coach Mike Vrabel is expected to sit most of his starters in the finale.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots’ starters were seen running sprints after practice on Tuesday. That, he said, suggests most starters will not play in the final preseason game. Henderson projects to be a key part of New England’s offense, making him one of the players most likely to sit.
Opinion/analysis: The way practice ended, with starting players running sprints, and backups going through situational work, could be a tipoff to how Mike Vrabel will approach preseason finale Thursday. Probably unusual to be pushing starters like that if they were going to play.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 19, 2025
Looking at the Patriots’ running back depth chart, Henderson is expected to lead the backfield in touches this season. He is their most explosive option and has shown ability as both a receiver and pass protector. With few apparent weaknesses in his game, Henderson could be a cornerstone of New England’s offense.
Patriots Could Be Dark-Horse Contenders This Season
When most observers look at the AFC and potential contenders, the Patriots are rarely mentioned. But with an experienced head coach in Vrabel and a high-upside quarterback in Drake Maye, New England could surprise many.
Since Tom Brady’s departure, the Patriots have searched for their next franchise quarterback. Maye appears to have the skill set to fill that role. The team also added Stefon Diggs this offseason to give him another proven playmaker. On paper, the Patriots should be much improved from last season, and steady progress is likely the coaching staff’s priority.
Fans may not see Maye or Henderson in the preseason finale, but they should be eager to watch the duo in Week 1.
