Rhamondre

Stevenson

The 14 touches trailed backfield mate Rhamondre Stevenson by one in an easy victory, intimating that the latter will continue to be utilized in conjunction with the electric rookie for the remainder of the season, regardless of the former’s exploits without Stevenson in the lineup earlier this season. Henderson continues to carry the greater per-touch upside but will see a muted ceiling while operating in a near-even timeshare. Stevenson gained 40 yards on 12 totes while adding 40 yards on three receptions.

Stevenson was returning after missing almost a month with an ankle injury. The 27-year-old didn’t see the field for almost the entirety of the first two drives before playing a snap on a third-and-long to end the second drive. He was out-touched by TreVeyon Henderson 21-to-7, but Stevenson did see two carries inside the three-yard line. The problem was that he was unable to convert on either one of those. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Stevenson work into a slightly larger role next week against the Giants.

It was trending this way for much of the week, but Stevenson will officially return to the field on Sunday. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson has played well in Stevenson’s absence, but we should expect some form of a committee here. With the Patriots heavy favorites against a banged up Bengals team, it’s possible that they can ease Stevenson back in durinf his first game back.

The last thing fantasy managers who are rostering TreVeyon Henderson need is to worry about how Stevenson may eat into the rookie’s workload, but that concern is about to become very real in Week 12. While Henderson’s last two weeks have been highly productive on the ground (33-209-4), he’ll now face the possibility of Stevenson working into the mix. Stevenson was averaging 16.0 touches per game in his last three games before going down, and will likely be a safe bet for double-digit touches once he returns. Despite this, his highly-inefficient play will make him a risky bet as anything more than an RB3. He’s finished as a top-24 PPR back just three times this season.

Stevenson remains in the questionable camp, having failed to graduate to full participation today. He still has decent odds of suiting up in Week 12 against the Bengals, though. If active, he will likely handle more touches than many would like after rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson’s three-touchdown showing in Week 11, but one imagines Henderson will at least retain the lead back role.

Stevenson has missed the past two weeks because of the toe issue. A limited practice to open the week puts him on track to play on Sunday, but this is one of the injury report situations fantasy managers should keep close tabs on this week. Stevenson was also limited in practice last week but was ruled out before the weekend. TreVeyon Henderson has exploded in Stevenson’s absence, racking up 243 yards and five scores over the past two weeks. Henderson has presumably earned the right to be the lead back even once Stevenson is healthy, but the best-case scenario is still a committee approach from the Pats.

Jennings will give it a go as the Patriots’ short-yardage back, though he is tough to trust as more than a touchdown-dependent FLEX. The Patriots declared DT Joshua Farmer, G Caedan Wallace, QB Tommy DeVito, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Christian Elliss, TE Austin Hooper and WR Kayshon Boutte inactive for Week 11 against the Jets. Stevenson will miss his third straight game with a toe injury, while Boutte will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Last week, rookie WR Kyle Williams scored a 72-yard touchdown by catching one of his two targets. He should be rostered where available, but he makes for a zero-floor, boom-bust FLEX starter this week.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes that “the only other running back on the roster is former practice squad player Terrell Jennings” (knee), who is questionable to play this evening. The Patriots will likely elevate veteran RB D’Ernest Johnson “from the practice squad for the third straight week,” and also re-signed RB Jonathan Ward to the practice squad on Tuesday, making him an elevation option alongside rookie RB Rushawn Baker. Henderson was limited by a knee injury on Monday but successfully upgraded to full participation on Tuesday and does not carry a game designation. He should handle a borderline RB1/2-level workload, and possesses the explosive traits required to finish squarely in the RB1 pool this week.

Stevenson got in some limited practices this week, a sign that he is making progress. The short turnaround to Thursday’s game was likely the biggest factor in him being shut down for Week 11. TreVeyon Henderson will draw the start once again. Henderson ran for 147 yards and two scores last week. He will sit in the middle of the RB2 ranks for his date with the Jets.

That’s back-to-back limited sessions for Stevenson, who was spotted working on the side in practice by Patriots beats today. With Terell Jennings (knee, limited) also in question for Thursday night, the Patriots ominously signed Jonathan Ward to their practice squad. It’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility that Stevenson plays on Thursday night, but we’d bet on a questionable tag at this point. The tea leaves of signing Ward leave us thinking one of these two dinged up backs won’t play.