TreVeyon

Henderson

Henderson will be active for the Patriots’ Thursday Night Football game, but his usage is up in the air. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel got RB Corey Kiner going late last week after Henderson fumbled. The Patriots won’t simply discard their former second-round pick, so he remains FLEX-viable, but he may be playing with a very limited touch count.

It’s been a stunningly quick recovery from what looked to be a high-ankle sprain that could sideline him. Henderson has practiced in full both days this week. We’re not concerned that he won’t play, but after fumble problems struck last week and Corey Kiner closed out the Jets in the fourth quarter, we do have slightly lowered expectations for his Thursday night stat line.

Surprisingly active, Henderson was unsurprisingly disappointing. Although his lost third quarter fumble was his first of the season, it predictably landed him in the doghouse. He touched the ball just two times thereafter, and the Patriots decided to ride No. 3 running back Corey Kiner is closeout mode. Kiner took 11 carries in the final 16:30 of game time. We know Henderson has big-play ability, but now playing at less than 100 percent in a backfield that is beginning to look like a three-man ordeal, he’s not a particularly appealing RB3/FLEX heading into Thursday’s short-week date with the Bears.

As are A.J. Brown (ankle) and LT Will Campbell (knee). It’s a rare day where all the injury news went right for a team. We can’t imagine Henderson will be in large for a particularly big backup role behind Rhamondre Stevenson, but the fact that a player the Pats didn’t even really “need” for Week 6 is giving it a go suggests he is close to regular health. Henderson is a boom/bust FLEX option. Inactive for the Patriots are CB Carlton Davis, CB Karon Prunty, QB Behren Morton, CB Channing Canada, OT Dametrious Crownover and TE Tanner Arkin.

The same is true of left tackle Will Campbell, who also went down with an ankle injury in Week 5. It’s a remarkable turnaround for Henderson, who was initially expected to miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain. He was limited in practice throughout the week before being listed as questionable on Friday. We expect Henderson to be on a pitch count this week, but he’s still capable of breaking a long run on just a few touches. Henderson is a high-risk FLEX play for Week 6.

The Patriots’ No. 2 running back was limited all week after being diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain. He told reporters today that he was surprised he could practice this week, and is feeling “pretty good.” If active, he will be a FLEX starter, but Rhamondre Stevenson should lead the backfield in touches.

Unlike yesterday, Henderson was spotted at the open portion of practice and appears to be making a real run to play in Week 6. If not for the report that he’d miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain, this would be a pretty clear trend towards Henderson playing. As is, we’ll see what happens on Friday. It sure seems like he’ll hit the questionable line one way or another, but how it looks will be important as far as figuring out his Week 6 status.

Henderson wasn’t spotted during the portion of practice open to the media but apparently got on the field at some point later in the session. It’s a truly stunning development for Henderson, given that it was reported this morning that he is expected to miss multiple weeks. We still expect him to sit for Week 6, but even that isn’t guaranteed at this point. Henderson would likely be on a relatively strict pitch count if he plays, but his presence would, at a minimum, be a thorn in the side of Rhamondre Stevenson’s fantasy backers. This is officially an injury report to keep a close eye on throughout the week.

Henderson suffered his latest ankle injury in Week 5 against the Raiders. Schefter said Henderson is “regarded as a quick healer, so the Patriots are hoping his return is sooner rather than later.” Still, he could be sidelined for the next few weeks, leaving Rhamondre Stevenson as the team’s clear lead back. Corey Kiner, meanwhile, appears to be in line as the Patriots’ RB2 after seeing seven touches last week against the Raiders. Kiner should be stashed in most 12-team fantasy leagues for now. Stevenson profiles as a top-12 play until Henderson returns.

Henderson had 38 yards on five touches before suffering the ankle injury on a sideline tackle in the second quarter. He needed help getting to the locker room and did not return to action. Henderson, who has dealt with a string of injuries over the past few months, could miss significant time, leaving Rhamondre Stevenson as the Patriots’ unquestioned workhorse back for now.