The New England Patriots may be without their top two running backs when they face the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 15. Rhamondre Stevenson is pushing to play after injuring his knee against the Green Bay Packers, but his availability remains uncertain.
Stevenson initially was expected to miss multiple weeks. He traveled with the team to Germany and returned to practice, though ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Patriots could still hold him out. Stevenson has told teammates he plans to try to play, but Fowler described his status as a close call and said it would not be surprising if New England rested him.
After missing Wednesday’s practice, Stevenson was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. The Patriots listed him as questionable for the game. Their Week 11 bye, which follows Sunday’s matchup, could give the 28-year-old additional time to recover if he does not play.
Through nine games this season, Stevenson has recorded 399 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with 26 catches for 258 yards and two scores. He also plays an important role in pass protection, helping shield quarterback Drake Maye from pressure. New England must weigh that value against the risk of playing him while his knee is still a concern.
## Patriots’ Running Back Depth Is Being Tested
The Patriots have ruled out TreVeyon Henderson because of an illness. If Stevenson is also unavailable, Corey Kiner and Lan Larison would be the team’s primary running backs, with Kiner potentially taking on a larger workload.
Kiner has averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his appearances this season. He also had seven runs of at least 10 yards entering Week 10. Still, stepping in for Stevenson would mean replacing more than his rushing production. Stevenson caught a 30-yard touchdown pass against Green Bay before leaving with his injury, and his pass-blocking experience is another significant part of his contribution.
Larison struggled in pass protection after replacing Stevenson against the Packers, allowing two pressures. The Patriots could also elevate Terrell Jennings from the practice squad to add depth.
Stevenson’s status remains unresolved. New England is scheduled to play Detroit at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, and the final inactive list is expected 90 minutes before kickoff.
