Patriots Face TreVeyon Henderson Question Amid Rhamondre Stevenson News
For Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, the last four weeks have been something of a revelation. After an electric showing in the summer throughout training camp, he spent much of the first third of the season firmly planted behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson. The Patriots offense, of course, is built to support and protect quarterback Drake Maye, and Henderson’s pass-blocking just was not up to snuff.
So his opportunities were limited. In his first seven NFL games, Henderson had 43 rushing attempts for 153 yards, and another 99 yards on 16 catches.
But as injuries have taken their toll on the Patriots’ running back room, with Antonio Gibson lost to an ACL tear in Week 4 and Stevenson suffering a toe injury that kept him out for the past three weeks, Henderson has had his opportunity, and seized it.
In his last four games, Henderson has 57 carries and 339 yards, notching four touchdowns. He also has 10 catches for 66 yards, and another touchdown. The electric back fans saw all summer made his NFL arrival.
Patriots Will Have Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson Choice
Of course, the Patriots were always going to get Stevenson back, and be left with a dilemma–a positive one, no doubt, but a dilemma nonetheless. Should the Patriots return to Stevenson, a very good blocking back who does a solid job picking up yardage between the tackles? Or go with Henderson, who struggles to grind out yards inside but who has home-run ability every time he touches the ball?
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was asked about that decision on Wednesday.
“I think we’re gonna have to have that conversation when it’s certain that we’re gonna have Rhamondre. So, work through practice today and see where things go,” Vrabel said.
(Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots
Patriots Have Gotten More From TreVeyon Henderson as a Blocker
Interestingly, though the production has picked up in the run game, at Pro Football Focus, the advanced numbers are not all that impressed with either Patriots running back. Henderson rates a grade of 59.8 according to the site, which is 52nd out of 59 running backs graded in the NFL. That’s mostly because Henderson has a terrible pass-block grade of 22.8.
Stevenson, who has three fumbles on his record this year, has a grade of 58.0, which is 54th out of 59 running backs. He is a significantly better pass-blocker, but again, Henderson is ranked fifth-worst in the NFL at it.
Also worth noting, though: Henderson’s pass-blocking grades have improved as the season has gone on. In three of his last five games, his pass-blocking grade has been 73.0 or higher, which would rate very well around the league. But his early-season struggles are holding his overall grade down.
Rhamondre Stevenson a Full Go at Practice
Vrabel said the Patriots’ intention is to continue using both Henderson and Stevenson, who returned to full participation at practice this week. The balance between the two going forward will be worth watching.
“TreVeyon’s helped us, Rhamondre’s helped us, Terrell (Jennings) has helped us. Disappointed that D’Ernest (Johnson) couldn’t have a couple more carries,” Vrabel said.
“We’ll try to have them all help us. But it’s been good to see TreVeyon continue to run hall and take care of the football and everything else.”
LeBron’s Touch Time Hits Historic Low in 23rd NBA Season Debut
LeBron James made history Tuesday night by becoming the first player in NBA history to play in 23 seasons, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ 140–126 win over the Utah Jazz revealed a more startling development: the four-time MVP is touching the basketball less than ever before.
James, who turns 41 next month, returned from a 14-game absence due to sciatic nerve irritation and recorded one of the lowest-volume scoring nights of his career — but his passing fueled the Lakers’ most productive offensive outing of the season.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, tracking data from GeniusIQ showed James averaged just 2.46 seconds per touch, the shortest average he’s had in any game since NBA player tracking began in 2013–14.
That microscopic touch length represents a stark shift for one of the league’s most ball-dominant players, signaling a new Lakers offense built around Luka Dončić, with James operating as the ultimate connector instead of the primary engine.
James Sets Career Touch-Time Low as Lakers Score Season High
Despite nearly ending his streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games, James issued 12 assists, facilitating a Lakers offense that scored a season-high 140 points. His lone driving layup in the third quarter preserved his record streak of 1,293 straight games with at least 10 points — every game he has played since Jan. 6, 2007.
James finished with 11 points, 12 assists on 4-of-7 shooting in 30 minutes. He only took one shot in the opening quarter and did not score until the 8:20 mark of the second quarter.
His two early 3-pointers let him pass Reggie Miller for sixth place on the NBA’s all-time made 3-pointers list.
‘Unselfish’ LeBron
Lakers head coach JJ Redick lauded James’ willingness to move the ball.
“Very unselfish all night,” Redick said. “Didn’t force it… took his drives and his shots when they were there.”
While James orchestrated, Dončić was the focal point, scoring 37 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including 17 in the third quarter, along with 10 assists. Dončić praised James’ unique impact.
“He does things that other people can’t,” Dončić said. “He’s here to help us all.”
The game seemed to confirm the franchise’s identity shift: Dončić is the new offensive engine, and James is optimizing him.
“The defense is going to pay attention to him… and I just thought he made a lot of great decisions tonight,” Redick said of James.
Fitting In, Not Fitting Out
In a postgame interview, James pushed back against questions about whether his return might disrupt the Lakers, who opened the season 10–4 without him.
“I can fit in with anybody,” James said. “I don’t even understand why that was a question.”
James admitted the conditioning was challenging after almost seven months without game action.
“My lungs felt like a newborn baby,” he said. “Caught my second wind, caught my third wind.”
The Lakers’ role players flourished with James as a pass-first initiator:
- Austin Reaves: 26 points on 7-of-11 shooting
- Deandre Ayton: 20 points, 14 rebounds, highlight lob from James
- Jake LaRavia: 16 points, first basket assisted by James
The numbers, the coach, and his new co-star all point to the same conclusion: in his 23rd season, James is reinventing himself again — this time through the least ball dominance of his entire career.
