As the New England Patriots prepare to take on the Houston Texans this Sunday, all eyes are on rookie quarterback Drake Maye who will be making his first career start. However, there are concerns looming over the health of one of the Patriots’ key offensive weapons.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson missed practice on Wednesday due to a foot injury, putting his availability for the upcoming game in question. Despite not starting in the previous game against Miami, Stevenson still managed to play 48 percent of the team’s snaps. He revealed to reporters that he sustained a calf injury after taking a helmet hit during the game, which forced him to briefly exit the contest.
Stevenson, who has accumulated 356 rushing yards with three touchdowns and 37 receiving yards this season, has been a crucial part of the Patriots’ offensive game plan. His absence would undoubtedly be felt by the team if he is unable to play against the Texans.
In addition to Stevenson, safety Kyle Dugger also sat out of practice due to an ankle injury, further adding to the Patriots’ injury woes.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, cornerback Marcus Jones, offensive lineman Nick Leverett, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, wide receiver K.J. Osborn, guard Layden Robinson, linebacker Sione Takitaki, and cornerback Marco Wilson were all limited in practice due to various ailments. The Patriots are hopeful that these players will be able to recover in time for the game against the Texans.
Linebacker Anfernee Jennings and cornerback Jonathan Jones, who were dealing with shoulder injuries, were able to fully participate in practice, providing a glimmer of hope for the Patriots’ defense.
With a slew of injuries impacting the roster, the Patriots will need to rely on depth and resilience as they look to bounce back from their loss to Miami and secure a victory against the Texans. Head coach Bill Belichick and his staff will have their work cut out for them as they navigate the challenges presented by the growing list of injured players. The team remains optimistic that they can overcome these obstacles and emerge victorious on Sunday.
