The New England Patriots may get an unexpected boost on offense when they face the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and wide receiver A.J. Brown are both listed as questionable after making progress in practice during the week.
Stevenson’s status is especially notable. After suffering a knee injury in New England’s 45-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers, he initially appeared at risk of missing multiple games. He did not practice Wednesday but returned to limited participation Thursday and remained limited Friday.
Brown also practiced on a limited basis throughout the week. He has missed New England’s previous two games while dealing with ankle and knee injuries.
The Patriots have ruled out offensive lineman Ben Brown, cornerback Carlton Davis III and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Nine New England players are listed as questionable, leaving head coach Mike Vrabel with several decisions ahead of Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff at Allianz Arena in Munich.
## Stevenson’s progress could ease pressure on the backfield
Stevenson’s return to practice offers the Patriots a potential lift at a position where their options are limited. Henderson will miss his third straight game while recovering from an unexplained medical condition. If Stevenson is unavailable, New England would need to rely more heavily on Corey Kiner and Lan Larison.
Stevenson contributes in more ways than rushing. He is also involved in the passing game and helps protect the quarterback, duties that could be important against Detroit’s defensive front.
Vrabel expressed cautious optimism about Stevenson and Brown when asked about their progress in Munich on Friday. Their questionable designations, however, mean neither player’s availability is assured. Even if Stevenson is active, the Patriots could choose to manage his workload, though the team has not announced any specific restriction.
## Brown could expand Drake Maye’s options
Brown’s possible return would give quarterback Drake Maye another potential target. The veteran receiver has recorded nine catches for 101 yards in three appearances this season, with injuries limiting his role.
If Brown is available, New England could field a receiving group featuring him alongside Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and tight end Hunter Henry. That would give offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels more options against Detroit’s secondary.
The Lions will be without cornerback D.J. Reed, who has a hip injury, and safety Kerby Joseph, who is dealing with a knee injury. Those absences could affect Detroit’s coverage, but Brown’s questionable status leaves his role unresolved until the Patriots make their final decisions.
## Offensive line receives some positive updates
Ben Brown is out after sustaining a knee injury against Green Bay. New England did receive encouraging updates on other offensive linemen, however.
Walter Rouse, who began the week in concussion protocol, progressed from no practice Wednesday to limited participation Thursday and Friday. He is questionable.
Greg Van Roten also improved, moving from limited participation Wednesday and Thursday to full participation Friday. He remains questionable and must still be activated from injured reserve to be eligible to play. A full practice does not by itself make him eligible for Sunday’s game.
Starting tackle Morgan Moses progressed from limited participation Thursday to full participation Friday and has no game-status designation. Maye, who appeared on the injury report with a right shoulder issue, practiced fully throughout the week.
Those updates could help an offense that struggled with protection and turnovers against Green Bay.
## Patriots’ secondary faces a challenge
Davis has been ruled out with a knee injury, leaving New England with another concern in the secondary. Detroit receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is questionable with a rib injury after practicing on a limited basis during the week. If he plays, the Patriots will need to account for his ability to line up in different spots and find openings on intermediate routes.
Safety Kevin Byard III and cornerback Charles Woods are also questionable. Both advanced to full participation Friday after being limited earlier in the week. Special teams contributor Brenden Schooler is questionable with a hamstring injury.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff practiced fully Thursday and Friday and has no game-status designation despite a chest injury. New England’s secondary depth could be important against the Lions’ passing attack.
## Detroit has several absences of its own
The Lions have ruled out center Cade Mays, Reed and Joseph. Mays’ absence could create an opportunity for New England’s interior defensive line to pressure Goff, while the losses of Reed and Joseph leave Detroit without two defensive starters.
Running back Sione Vaki is questionable with an ankle injury after returning to limited participation Friday. St. Brown is also questionable.
The Patriots enter the game at 5-4 after their loss to Green Bay, while Detroit is 6-2. New England’s most consequential injury questions remain whether Stevenson and Brown can play. Their potential availability, along with the progress of several offensive linemen, gives the Patriots more encouraging news than they appeared likely to have earlier in the week. Final decisions will depend on whether the questionable players are ready to handle a game-day workload.
New England’s questionable players are Stevenson, Brown, Van Roten, Rouse, Byard, Woods, Schooler, Reggie Gilliam and Cameron Latu. Henderson, Ben Brown and Davis are out. Detroit’s questionable players are St. Brown and Vaki; Mays, Reed and Joseph are out.
