Rhamondre Stevenson has been sidelined since suffering an apparent lower-body injury during the first quarter of the New England Patriots’ 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Here’s the latest on the Patriots’ leading rusher.
Latest on Rhamondre Stevenson’s Injury
Stevenson was tackled by Chargers defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu on a 2nd-and-5 run up the middle late in the first quarter of the contest. His leg got caught underneath Tuipulotu during the tackle, leaving Stevenson in noticeable pain immediately after the play.
#Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson was helped off the field after getting tackled on this play.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 3, 2023
He did not put much weight on his right leg while being helped off the field in obvious pain and was taken straight to the locker room before quickly being ruled out of the game.
Stevenson exited the contest with nine carries for 39 yards. His absence was a tough blow for a struggling New England offense on a cold and rainy day where yardage was already often difficult to come by.
Stevenson did not practice Wednesday and has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with what was reported Tuesday as a high ankle sprain, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
A source told Schefter that Stevenson is expected to miss “a few weeks.”
With just five weeks of the regular season remaining, it’s unclear exactly when Stevenson might be back available for the Patriots. Playing without him presents a challenge to their offense as he has tallied 156 carries for 619 yards and four touchdowns along with 38 catches for 238 yards through 12 appearances.
Losing another playmaker will only make life tougher for a Patriots offense that has struggled in recent weeks. With Sunday’s defeat, they became the first team since the 1938 Chicago Cardinals to lose three straight games while allowing 10 or fewer points, according to NFL Research.
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Stevenson’s absence should mean more touches for Ezekiel Elliott, who has been New England’s second option at the position this season. He enters Thursday with 112 carries for 429 yards and two touchdowns alongside 24 catches for 154 yards on the season.
Ty Montgomery II is another candidate to see more touches at the position, though he has just three carries for nine yards on the season.
JaMycal Hasty is the other running back option on the 53-man roster, though he has yet to play since being claimed off waivers in mid-November. The Patriots could also choose to elevate second-year running back Kevin Harris from the practice squad.
Either way, New England is short on proven production at running back heading into Thursday’s likely must-win game to keep its playoff hopes alive.
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