Henderson did not participate in the media-access portion of Thursday’s practice, continuing a stretch of missed work ahead of the Week 1 matchup. He has not practiced since August 24, when an ankle injury occurred during a session. While the organization has said the injury isn’t considered serious, the timing creates growing concerns as opening week nears.
Henderson’s absence has limited valuable preparation time. Early reports suggested a minor right ankle issue and noted that the absence could be precautionary. He reportedly walked without a limp, which offered some optimism about a potential Week 1 return. However, he has not yet returned to practice, and the clock is ticking with three practices remaining before the team travels to Seattle for the season opener.
The Patriots will be counting on Henderson to contribute significantly on offense this season, alongside running back Rhamondre Stevenson. In 2025, Henderson rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries, while also catching 35 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown. His dynamic ability would provide a valuable weapon for quarterback Drake Maye.
New England faces a challenging opener against Seattle, the team that defeated them in Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks won that game 29-13, making the Week 1 matchup an opportunity for the Patriots to respond. At this point, Henderson’s status remains uncertain.
If he can return to practice over the weekend, there could still be a path to playing in Seattle. Should the absence continue into next week, the Patriots may need to prepare for the opener without one of their most explosive offensive weapons.
