Mike ReissOct 31, 2025, 01:36 PM ET
- Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots will be without starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson for Sunday's home game against the Atlanta Falcons, coach Mike Vrabel announced.
Stevenson, who leads the team with 83 rushes for 279 yards and three touchdowns, has missed the week of practice with a toe injury. The only other running backs on the roster are second-round draft pick TreVeyon Henderson (5-10, 202) and former practice squad player Terrell Jennings (6-0, 217).
The Patriots signed running backs D'Ernest Johnson (seventh year), Jonathan Ward (sixth year) and Rushawn Baker (rookie) to their practice squad earlier this week, and one of them could be elevated for the game to add depth, according to Vrabel.
Vrabel has noted that Stevenson's pass protection is highly valued -- it is an area the Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye will miss against a Falcons defense that has the highest blitz rate on opposing dropbacks (47.8%) and has allowed the fewest passing yards per game (149.1).
Stevenson has played 62% of the offensive snaps this season, followed by Henderson at 32%. The team's third running back to open the season, veteran Antonio Gibson, tore his ACL in Week 5. Gibson's void has been filled by Jennings, who has played sparingly on offense (14 snaps total).
