Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Bounces back after brief demotion
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Stevenson rushed 12 times for 89 yards and a touchdown and brought in all four targets for three yards in the Patriots' 15-10 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
Stevenson didn't open the game as a starter due to his early-season fumbling issues, but he was ultimately able to put together his most impressive showing since his 120-yard, one-touchdown effort in Week 1. Stevenson rattled off a game-long 33-yard run for a touchdown late in the first quarter for the Patriots' first points, and he averaged just over 5.0 yards per carry on his other 11 totes. The third-year back did get briefly shaken up in the fourth quarter per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, but Stevenson reentered the game for a play and said after the contest he does not expect to miss any time. Stevenson and the Patriots next welcome in the Texans for a Week 6 matchup.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Friday that Stevenson will not start at running back in Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Antonio Gibson will get a turn as the Patriots' lead back Week 5 while the 26-year-old Stevenson slides down a spot on the depth chart after fumbling in each of the Patriots' first four games. According to Mayo, Stevenson is still in line to remain in the game plan versus Miami. Gibson has seen just 29 carries to Stevenson's 65 through four games, but the former is averaging 5.3 yards per tote to Stevenson's 4.1 average.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Could lose starting gig
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Head coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday that having Antonio Gibson start over Stevenson this Sunday against the Dolphins is "under consideration" due to Stevenson's fumbling issues, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Through the Patriots' first four games this season, Stevenson has logged 65 carries to Gibson's 29, but Stevenson has fumbled four times. With that in mind, it's possible that Stevenson's recent ball-security issues could affect his workload to a degree in Week 5. Even in such a scenario, Stevenson wouldn't be expected to be phased out of the game plan entirely versus Miami.
Stevenson rushed 13 times for 43 yards while catching four of five targets for 19 receiving yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to the 49ers.
Stevenson got back up to double-digit carries after struggling off of six rushes in a Week 3 loss to the Jets. The veteran starter didn't produce big results with his 18 combined touches Sunday, also losing his second fumble in as many weeks. The fourth-year back rattled off two strong fantasy lines prior to his recent pair of duds, so fantasy managers shouldn't give up on Stevenson so long as he remains the primary option in New England. He will attempt to regain his early-season form in an important AFC East tilt against the Dolphins next Sunday.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Disappointing night in Week 3 loss
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Stevenson rushed six times for 23 yards and lost a fumble in the Patriots' 24-3 loss to the Jets on Thursday night.
Game script and a stingy Jets defense conspired to limit Stevenson to his lowest numbers of the season through three games. Stevenson had eclipsed 20 carries in each of his first two contests, and in addition to not getting anywhere close to that workload Thursday, the fourth-year back's early fourth-quarter lost fumble at the Patriots' 35-yard line led to a New York field goal that essentially sealed New England's fate. Stevenson has a tough assignment in his Week 4 bid to bounce back, as he'll tangle with the 49ers defense on the road on Sunday, Sept. 29.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Significant workload in Week 2 loss
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Stevenson rushed the ball 21 times for 81 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Patriots. He added two receptions on five targets for nine yards.
The Patriots remained run heavy, and Stevenson topped 20 carries for the second straight game to begin the season. He couldn't replicate his efficiency from Week 1, but he did punch in a one-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and had two rushes that went for more than 10 yards. Stevenson has struggled to produce as a receiver and should be projected to lose work in that area to Antonio Gibson, though he has still racked up eight targets through two contests. He appears to be comfortably locked in as New England's lead back.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: RBs to Start
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The Bengals' game plan was to stop Stevenson in Week 1 since he faced an eight-man front on 24 percent of his carries, but he still managed 25 attempts for 120 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 6 yards on three targets for 21.6 PPR points. He'll face a tougher test against Seattle in Week 2, and the Seahawks just shut down Denver's run game in Week 1, holding Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin to 18 carries for 50 yards and six catches for 1 yard on seven targets. But I'm going to buy this performance from Stevenson against Cincinnati and start him against Seattle at home as a No. 2 running back in all leagues.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Stars in Week 1 upset victory
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Stevenson rushed 25 times for 120 yards and a touchdown while bringing in all three targets for six yards in the Patriots' 16-10 win over the Bengals on Sunday. He also recovered a fumble.
At least for Week 1, new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo was able to play his preferred brand of football, with game script allowing Stevenson to function in an old-school workhorse role to help grind out a low-scoring victory. Stevenson was able to rip off chunk gains throughout the afternoon, and he found pay dirt for his first touchdown of the campaign on a three-yard run to open the second quarter. Antonio Gibson took only seven carries as the No. 2 running back, clearly delineating the pecking order in New England's ground attack. Stevenson will look to replicate the stellar 2024 debut when he tangles with the Seahawks at home Week 2.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Rested in preseason finale
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Stevenson was among the Patriots' key starters who got the night off in the team's preseason finale against the Commanders on Sunday, Mike Dussault of the team's official site reports.
As the coming season approaches, the fourth-year pro's role as New England's lead back is secure, so Sunday's contest was an opportunity for the coaching staff to get a look at Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings and Deshaun Fenwick, who are competing for slotting behind Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. Stevenson's next game reps will occur Sunday, Sept. 8 against the Bengals, at which time we'd expect him to have a prominent role in the Week 1 game plan, regardless of which QB ( Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye) gets the starting nod.
Stevenson has agreed to a four-year extension with the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Per Schefter, Stevenson's deal is for $36 million, of which $17 million is reportedly guaranteed. The move to extend the 2021 fourth-rounder beyond his current pact solidifies the Patriots backfield ahead of Jerod Mayo's first season as head coach, and with the team transitioning at the QB position, look for Stevenson and fellow RB Antonio Gibson to be key drivers of New England's offense in 2024. Over the course of 12 regular-season games last season, Stevenson logged 156 carries for 619 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 38 catches for 238 yards on 51 targets. As training camp approaches, the 26-year-old has moved past the ankle issue that cost him time down the stretch in 2023, with Stevenson's new contract terms reflecting his continued status as his team's lead back.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Close to full strength
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Stevenson (ankle) recently said he's "feeling great" and would be able to play in a game if the Patriots had one coming up, Nicole Yang of The Boston Globe reports.
Stevenson has been going to physical therapy four or five times per week since missing the final five games of 2023 with a high-ankle injury. It sounds like he'll be ready for the start of the offseason program, heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. Stevenson said he plans to speak to new coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt about his desire to handle a clear lead role in the backfield, after rotating with Damien Harris in 2022 and Ezekiel Elliott in 2023. Elliott is headed for unrestricted free agency this offseason, leaving Stevenson and 2022 sixth-round pick Kevin Harris as the only RBs from the 2023 roster under contract for 2024.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Lands on IR
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The Patriots placed Stevenson (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday.
With the Patriots eliminated from playoff contention, Stevenson -- who last played in Week 13 -- will be shut down for the final two games of the season as he continues his recovery from a right high-ankle sprain. Ezekiel Elliott is slated to lead the team's backfield in Weeks 17 and 18, with Kevin Harris serving as his top understudy and JaMycal Hasty on hand in reserve. Stevenson wraps up his third NFL season with 156 carries for 619 yards (4.0 average) and four touchdowns to go with 38 catches for 238 yards on 51 targets over his 12 appearances.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Still not practicing
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Stevenson (ankle) wasn't on the field for the start of Friday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Stevenson also sat out practices Wednesday and Thursday, and his continued absence Friday suggests that the running back is trending toward being ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos. If Stevenson remains sidelined this weekend, Ezekiel Elliott would once again lead New England's backfield in Week 16.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Still not practicing
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Stevenson (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Stevenson has now missed both of the Patriots' first two Week 16 practices, so he'll likely need to take part in Friday's session in some capacity to have a chance at playing Sunday against the Broncos. If Stevenson ends up missing a third straight game this weekend, Ezekiel Elliott would once again serve as New England's lead back.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Still not practicing
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Stevenson (ankle) wasn't spotted at Friday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Stevenson hasn't been able to practice this week and appears to be trending toward missing Sunday's game against the Chiefs. If the Patriots rule out Stevenson later Friday, the stage would be set for Ezekiel Elliott to continue to lead the team's backfield in Week 15.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Still not practicing
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Stevenson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.
Stevenson was listed as a non-participant on all three of the Patriots' practice reports last week before being ruled out ahead of Thursday's win over the Steelers. His continued absence from practice for the Patriots' first session of Week 15 prep seemingly puts him at risk of missing another game Sunday versus the Chiefs. If Stevenson remains sidelined this weekend, Ezekiel Elliott would continue to headline New England's backfield.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Ruled out for Thursday
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Stevenson (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game at Pittsburgh.
Stevenson was heating up the past few weeks despite the rest of New England's offense struggling more than ever, but he's now in danger of missing multiple games after a high-ankle sprain forced him out of Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers late in the first quarter. He missed the rest of the game and didn't practice at all during the short week, likely leaving Ezekiel Elliott to handle a huge role in the backfield Thursday after playing 93 percent of snaps over the final three quarters this past Sunday. Ty Montgomery and JaMycal Hasty are the depth options in the backfield, with both seemingly more likely to take passing-down snaps than carries. Stevenson's next chance to play will come Week 15 against the Chiefs on Dec. 17.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Listed as DNP on Monday's estimate
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Stevenson (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate.
The Patriots didn't hold a practice Monday, but Stevenson wouldn't have participated had the team held a session. Stevenson injured his right ankle in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers and is believed to be dealing with a sprain, so he doesn't seem likely to suit up Thursday against the Steelers. Ezekiel Elliott is expected to lead New England's backfield in Stevenson's absence, though the former was listed as limited on Monday's estimate due to a thigh injury. Ty Montgomery and JaMycal Hasty round out New England's depth chart at running back.
Stevenson, who injured his right ankle during Sunday's game against the Chargers, won't return to the contest.
Before being forced out of the game, Stevenson had carried nine times for 39 yards and caught one pass for zero yards. In his absence, Ezekiel Elliott will lead the Patriots' Week 13 rushing attack. Stevenson will now look to recover from his ankle issue in time to be available for Thursday night's game against the Steelers.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Healthy after bye week
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Stevenson (back) isn't listed Wednesday on the Patriots' Week 12 injury report.
Stevenson briefly exited the Patriots' Week 10 loss to the Colts, but he returned to the contest and ended up parlaying his 46 snaps on offense into 20 carries for 88 yards and three catches on five targets for 14 yards. Following the Patriots' Week 11 bye, Stevenson has moved past his back issue and is in line to lead the backfield this weekend against the Giants.
