Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson Expected to Miss Next Few Weeks With Knee Tendon Injury
Stevenson won't need surgery, but New England could be down to Corey Kiner and Lan Larison at running back for Sunday's game against the Lions in Munich
The Patriots' running back room just lost its top option. Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to miss the next few weeks with a plantaris tendon issue in the back of his knee, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday. The injury won't require surgery, just rest and rehab.
#Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to miss the next few weeks because of plantaris tendon issue in the back of his knee, sources say. No surgery, just rest and rehab for Stevenson.View on X →
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): #Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to miss the next few weeks because of plantaris tendon issue in the back of his knee, sources say. No surgery, just rest and rehab for Stevenson.
Stevenson got hurt late in the third quarter of Sunday's 45-27 loss to the Packers, when he was twisted down at the end of a 6-yard catch with New England already trailing 42-14, ESPN's Mike Reiss reported.
His absence leaves a real hole. Stevenson has played 65 percent of the offensive snaps this season and has 399 yards and two touchdowns on 102 carries, plus 26 catches for 258 yards and two more scores. Mike Vrabel has singled out his pass protection as a key piece of the offense.
The timing makes it worse. No. 2 back TreVeyon Henderson has missed the last two games after a hospital stay for unexplained neurological symptoms, so New England could be down to its third and fourth options. Corey Kiner, acquired from the Cardinals in an Aug. 29 trade, has 244 yards on 50 carries (4.9 per carry) while playing 13 percent of the snaps. Lan Larison is behind him, and Terrell Jennings is on the practice squad.
The Patriots (5-4) face the Lions in Munich on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 6:30 AM PT, and they leave for Germany late Wednesday. New England has its bye the following week, which should limit how many games Stevenson actually misses.