New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was expected to miss the next few weeks with a knee tendon issue, ESPN and NFL Network reported on Monday, Nov. 9. The injury left the team short at the position days before its game against the Detroit Lions in Munich.
Related: Patriots Lose Stevenson, Davis and Ben Brown to Knee Injuries Days Before Munich Trip.
What we know
The injury is not expected to require surgery, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, ESPN reported. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the issue involves the plantaris tendon in the back of the knee, according to NBC Sports Boston. Rapoport said Stevenson would need rest and rehab.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said earlier Monday that he had no update because the team was still waiting on MRI results. “We’re wearing out the MRIs this morning,” Vrabel said, according to a team transcript.
Stevenson was hurt late in the third quarter of the 45-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 8, ESPN reported. He was twisted down on a 6-yard reception with the Patriots trailing 42-14, according to ESPN.
He has played 65% of the team’s offensive snaps, ESPN reported. He has 399 rushing yards on 102 carries and two rushing touchdowns, plus 26 catches for 258 yards and two receiving touchdowns, according to ESPN.
Who carries the load
Corey Kiner and Lan Larison are the only healthy running backs on the 53-man roster, NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk reported. TreVeyon Henderson has missed the past two games because of an illness, ESPN reported. Terrell Jennings is on the practice squad.
Kiner, acquired from the Arizona Cardinals in an Aug. 29 trade, has played 13% of the offensive snaps, ESPN reported. He has 244 yards on 50 carries, an average of 4.9 yards, according to ESPN.
Vrabel praised Kiner on Monday but named one area of concern. “Corey is working extremely hard,” he said, according to the team transcript. He said Kiner must improve at “recognition of the pressure and then the ability to block the pressure.”
Other injuries and roster moves
Left guard Ben Brown will not play against Detroit. “He won’t make it this week,” Vrabel said. Vrabel said the team would look at activating guard Greg Van Roten, NBC Sports Boston reported.
Vrabel said receiver A.J. Brown was expected to travel, though no decision had been made. “I would imagine that that’s the plan,” Vrabel said, according to the team transcript. Left tackle Will Campbell told reporters after Sunday’s game that he was OK, NBC Sports Boston reported.
The Patriots released rookie tight end Tanner Arkin from the 53-man roster and linebacker Jose Ramirez from the practice squad on Monday, the team said.
Current availability is tracked on The Boston Report’s Patriots injury report.
Locker room and the trade deadline
Vrabel rejected a suggestion that his postgame remarks about wanting committed players pointed to a deeper issue. “There’s not a locker room problem,” he said, according to the team transcript.
The NFL trade deadline was set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Asked Monday about a possible move, Vrabel said, “I don’t have any trade to report here today.”
What happens next
The 5-4 Patriots were scheduled to travel to Munich late Wednesday, ESPN reported. Their bye week follows the Lions game, according to ESPN. The full Patriots schedule and roster and more team news are on our Boston Sports hub.
Sources
- ESPN: Source: Pats’ Rhamondre Stevenson expected to miss time with knee tendon issue
- NBC Sports: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson will miss multiple weeks with a knee issue
- NBC Sports Boston: Patriots injury updates: Latest info on A.J. Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson and more
- New England Patriots: Transcript: Head Coach Mike Vrabel Press Conference 11/9
- New England Patriots: Patriots Release TE Tanner Arkin from 53-Man Roster and LB Jose Ramirez from the Practice Squad
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