Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Takes back seat against Bengals
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Stevenson carried the ball six times for five yards and caught one of two targets for five yards in Sunday's 26-20 win over Cincinnati.
Returning from a three-game absence due to a toe issue, Stevenson found himself firmly behind TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield pecking order, as the rookie turned 21 touches into 81 scrimmage yards. Stevenson was deployed at the goal line Sunday, but he got stuffed for no gain on two carries from the Bengals' one-yard line in the third quarter. That usage could allow him to maintain some fantasy value, but Stevenson appears to be the clear No. 2 option in the New England running game heading into a Week 13 meeting with the Giants.
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Active versus Bengals
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Stevenson (toe) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Stevenson, who last appeared in a game in Week 8, was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but the running back's full participation in Friday's session foreshadowed his active status Sunday. Stevenson is thus slated to rejoin a backfield that also includes rookie second-rounder TreVeyon Henderson, who combined for five total TDs over New England's last two contests. Prior to missing three straight weeks of action, Stevenson logged 83 carries for 279 yards and three TDs, while adding 16 catches (on 19 targets) for 169 yards in eight games. In his return to action versus Cincinnati, Stevenson should reclaim his key role in the Patriots' ground game, though in terms of volume it's possible that Henderson factors in more than he did the last time the two backs were both available.
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Slated to return in Week 12
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Stevenson, who is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup against Cincinnati due to a toe injury, is expected to suit up, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The toe issue caused Stevenson to miss each of New England's past three games. During that time, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson moved into the No. 1 role and scored five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) while averaging 88.0 rushing yards and 22.0 receiving yards per contest. With that in mind, Stevenson -- who logged offensive snap shares north of 70 percent in each of the three games prior to his absence -- may be part of a more even timeshare out of the backfield if he's cleared to play ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Questionable after full practice
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Stevenson (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals after practicing fully Friday.
Stevenson logged limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, but his full participation in Friday's session has the running back trending toward a return to action after having missed three straight games. Supporting that notion is that coach Mike Vrabel noted of Stevenson on Friday, "I would say there wasn't many restrictions and that he responded well to the practice. I would say that as long as there are not any setbacks here, he'd be in line to play" Sunday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. In that scenario, Stevenson would be in line to rejoin a backfield timeshare with TreVeyon Henderson, who combined for five total TDs over New England's last two contests. Prior to sustaining his toe injury, Stevenson carried 83 times for 279 yards and three TDs, while adding 16 catches (on 19 targets) for 169 yards over the course of eight games.
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Another limited session
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Stevenson (toe) remained limited at practice Thursday.
Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald relays that Patriots running backs coach Tony Dews noted Thursday that Stevenson -- who also was limited Wednesday -- "was out there running around, and looked like himself running around. So, we'll see what it looks like tomorrow." In any case, Friday's final injury report is slated to reveal whether Stevenson approaches Week 12 action with an injury designation or fully cleared to play Sunday against the Bengals.
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Limited practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Stevenson (toe) was limited at practice Wednesday.
Stevenson last saw game action in Week 8, but the running back's limited participation Wednesday suggests that he could return to the lineup Sunday against the Bengals. He'll have two more opportunities to increase his participation level before the Patriots assign Week 12 injury designations, but if Stevenson is available this weekend, he'd be in line to rejoin a backfield time-share with TreVeyon Henderson, who combined for five total TDs over New England's last two contests.
Stevenson (toe) participated in practice Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Stevenson's ability to practice was expected, though it remains to be seen if he was limited or will be deemed a full participant. The running back has missed three straight games, but his presence at Wednesday's session suggests that he could be available Sunday against the Bengals.
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: In line to practice Wednesday
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Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that he expects Stevenson (toe) to practice Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.
The running back has missed New England's last three games, though he returned to practice as a limited participant prior to being ruled out for last Thursday's win over the Jets. It sounds as though Stevenson could have a better chance to return in Week 12 versus the Bengals, though he seems highly unlikely to reclaim the lead role from rookie TreVeyon Henderson. During Stevenson's three-game absence, Henderson has compiled five total touchdowns while averaging over 100 scrimmage yards per contest.
