FOXBORO, Mass. – When he makes his first NFL start on Sunday, Drake Maye won’t have the luxury of playing with the Patriots’ starting running back. Rhamondre Stevenson, who the team has leaned on heavily the first five weeks of the season, will miss Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans due to a foot injury he suffered in last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.
In his place, the Patriots are expected to turn to Antonio Gibson for a big role. Gibson, a 26-year-old NFL veteran of five seasons, has played well in a backup role for the Pats, averaging 5.9 yards per carry on his 35 rushes.
Still, it’s a meaningful loss for the Pats given how often they rely on Stevenson and the depth concerns after Gibson. While Stevenson is out for this week’s game, coach Jerod Mayo said the team doesn’t expect this to be a long-term injury.
While Stevenson fumbled in each of the first four games (and wasn’t made a starter in the fifth game because of those issues) he’s touched the ball at least 16 times in four of the team’s five games this season. He played especially well in a loss to the Dolphins last weekend, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Stevenson has 356 rushing yards this season.
But now the Pats will turn to Gibson, whom they have plenty of confidence in. Still, the dropoff after Gibson is steep. JaMycal Hasty is the only other healthy running back on the 53-man roster, meaning they’ll likely elevate either Kevin Harris or Terrell Jennings from the practice squad.
“We feel confident about the backs – Gibson, Hasty and we’ll figure out who we’re going to elevate after that,” Mayo said. “But I feel good about it.”
On the team’s injury report, the Patriots also listed 11 players, including six starters, as questionable to play Sunday.
Fantasy outlook for Stevenson
This is pretty cut-and-dry for fantasy managers. Gibson ranks as an RB2 in all formats. Hasty isn’t worth the risk. If Stevenson managers can’t get Gibson, Bucky Irving — with Rachaad White ailing — and Ray Davis — with James Cook questionable — are pickups to make. — Jake Ciely, senior fantasy writer
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(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
