Patriots’ Henderson Out, Barmore Expected to Play
Patriots’ Henderson Out, Barmore Expected to Play
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Key Points
1
TreVeyon Henderson was a 2025 second-round pick and posted 911 rushing yards and 221 receiving yards as a rookie, despite struggles with pass protection and vision.
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Before Henderson was ruled out, coach Mike Vrabel said the team would evaluate him after Monday’s practice and emphasized that the running back had been “working extremely hard to come back.”
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With Henderson unavailable, New England’s listed healthy running backs are Rhamondre Stevenson, Corey Kiner, Hassan Haskins and Lan Larison.
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Christian Barmore is expected to resume his role as one of the Patriots’ starting defensive linemen after returning to full practice participation.
The New England Patriots will start their season without running back TreVeyon Henderson, sidelined by an ankle injury sustained on wet grass two weeks ago. Fox Sports reported that Henderson was ruled out for Wednesday's opener against the Seattle Seahawks despite traveling with the team, shifting the offensive workload to Rhamondre Stevenson and backup backs. The Patriots did get good news on defense: tackle Christian Barmore returned to full practice and is expected to play.
Henderson's absence marks a significant blow for an offense that leaned on his dual-threat ability as a rookie. The 2025 second-round pick rushed for 911 yards and caught 221 more while adding 10 touchdowns in his first NFL season. Coach Mike Vrabel had said the team would evaluate Henderson after Monday's final practice before the opener.
Rhamondre Stevenson Steps Into Lead Role
Rhamondre Stevenson becomes the Patriots' primary running back with Henderson out. The veteran will shoulder increased work against a Seattle defense that allowed 4.2 yards per carry last season. New England also has Corey Kiner, Hassan Haskins, and Lan Larison available as reserve options. AOL noted that Stevenson is now a must-start for fantasy lineups and DFS contests against the Seahawks.
Christian Barmore's Swift Return Boosts Defense
Defensive tackle Christian Barmore cleared a knee injury in just one practice and is set to resume his role as a starting lineman Wednesday. WCVB reported that Barmore's full return strengthens New England's interior defensive line against Seattle's run-heavy attack. His availability prevents the Patriots from rotating in unproven depth pieces on the defensive front.
Offensive Line Takes Another Hit With Brown Out
Offensive lineman Ben Brown will not play after suffering a significant knee sprain during preseason. Brown did not travel to Seattle, creating a second notable personnel gap alongside Henderson's absence. The injury limits New England's flexibility along the line as the team faces a Seahawks pass rush ranked 12th in pressure rate last year.
Patriots Face Crucial First Test Without Top Talent
New England opens against Seattle without two key offensive contributors. Henderson's explosive play-making and Brown's protection combine to represent a 2,132-yard offensive loss from rookie production alone. Yahoo Sports highlighted the injury report's significance heading into a prime-time contest. The Patriots must rely on veteran depth and adjusted game plans to compete against a Seahawks team seeking redemption after last season's playoff exit.
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