Henderson’s health could become a crucial factor for both teams. If he cannot play, the Seahawks would face a New England offense that will need to lean more on veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson to carry the load, with other backs such as Corey Kiner also on the roster. Henderson has shown explosive play-making ability in his rookie season, and his absence would remove a dynamic element from the Patriots’ ground game. In 2025, Henderson amassed 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. His speed creates big-play opportunities and stretches defenses, especially with space to run after the handoff or screen passes.
Even with Henderson sidelined, New England would still have a capable rushing attack. Stevenson could be relied upon to carry the majority of rushing attempts, while Kiner could contribute as a complementary back. Henderson’s presence would have forced defenses to respect the Patriots’ speed option and play-action threats, potentially widening the field for quarterback Drake Maye. If Henderson cannot play, Seattle’s defense would likely face a more predictable standing and could tailor its plan to stop Stevenson and manage New England’s zone reads and misdirection plays with less concern about the home-run potential Henderson provides.
For Seattle, Henderson’s absence would be advantageous from a strategic standpoint, particularly given injury concerns of their own on defense. Starting safety Ty Okada was absent from practice with a hamstring issue, and cornerback Nick Emmanwori was limited as he rehabilitates an ankle surgery. A limited Henderson could give Seattle a better chance to focus on containing Maye and adjusting to the Patriots’ preferred offensive packages, even as the Seahawks contend with their own personnel limitations.
Seattle does not have to rely on memories of past meetings alone to prepare for Henderson’s potential absence. The Seahawks already held Henderson in check during a high-profile recent matchup. In the championship rematch scenario from the prior season, Seattle limited Henderson to a modest production, with just 19 rushing yards on six carries. He did contribute three receptions for 26 yards, but the combination of six carries and three receptions produced only 45 yards from scrimmage. Seattle’s defense dominated that game, pressuring Maye and forcing multiple errors, including a pair of interceptions. The defense also limited New England’s ground game, holding the Patriots’ running backs to 42 rushing yards, with Stevenson totaling 23 on seven attempts. While past performance against Henderson is informative, a new offseason often brings adjustments, and Maye remains capable of producing big plays regardless of the opponent.
Week 1 margins can be decisive, and removing a back who averaged over five yards per carry as a rookie would likely simplify Seattle’s defensive assignments. However, New England has had the entire offseason to refine its approach since that loss, and Maye’s ability to improvise under pressure keeps them dangerous. Even if Henderson cannot play, the Patriots can lean on Stevenson’s experience and power runs, and use Maye’s development to keep Seattle honest with play-action and tempo.
In other news from the Patriots’ camp, defensive tackle Christian Barmore returned to full participation after missing Sunday, signaling improving strength on the line. Center Ben Brown remained listed as out after missing practice due to a knee injury. These developments could influence the Patriots’ protection schemes and overall interior performance against Seattle’s defensive front.
As Week 1 approaches, Henderson’s status remains a central storyline. If he can play, the Patriots would deploy their full complement of playmakers, challenging Seattle’s defense with a diverse rushing attack and a fast, versatile quarterback in Maye. If Henderson is unavailable, Seattle’s preparation will center on containing Stevenson, exploiting potential gaps in the Patriot lineup, and leveraging any favorable matchups on the back end.
The Seahawks will be keen to capitalize on any edge they can secure, especially on defense where injuries could affect personnel matchups. Seattle will also be watching for late injury designations as game day approaches, since Week 1 margins often hinge on a few key decisions. For fans and analysts, this rematch promises a thoughtful test of both teams’ rosters and game plans, with the health of TreVeyon Henderson likely to influence the balance of the Patriots’ offense on opening night.
